Abstract:
A system for marketing applications, the system having a computer processor, a display operably connected to the computer processor, and a user interface for receiving instructions from a user. The user interface is operably connected to the computer processor; wherein the computer processor is programmed to display an application menu on the display for selection of an application from the application menu by the user. The computer processor is further programmed to maintain a list of user-selected applications wherein the computer processor is further programmed to display a depiction of a predetermined environment on the display. The depiction includes images of applications included in the list of user-selected applications shown applied in the predetermined environment. The computer processor is further programmed to update the depiction of the predetermined environment by adding an image of the application, as applied in the predetermined environment to the depiction of the predetermined environment on the display, in response to a selection of the application by the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1.Field  
         [0002]     The disclosed embodiments relate to computer systems and, more particularly, to a computer system for selection of remediation applications for basements, crawl spaces, and partially subterranean chambers of structures.  
         [0003]     2.Brief Description of Related Developments  
         [0004]     There are many known computer systems and programs for marketing products, including installed products. Internet web pages and interactive presentations distributed on compact disks are often used for marketing purposes. Known systems may display visual images of individual products being marketed. If the products are generally sold with installation services, images of completed installation projects may be shown, such as past projects that have been completed by installer. These images aid in marketing by allowing a prospective consumer to see how installed products appear in the environment in which they are installed. However, different consumers have different product requirements. Moreover, many consumers seeking remediation of an environment or workspace, such as a basement, crawlspace, or partially subterranean chamber of a dwelling in need of water proofing or sealing, and desiring products/services for remediation of the workspace, may not know what is required in order to identify which products/services will effect the sought remediation. In other words aside from generally desiring remediation of the workspace, many consumers may not know the specific remedial areas of the workspace and the products/services to provide remediation. Therefore the products shown in images of completed installations are unlikely to provide consumers with desired information allowing the consumer to source the desired products, services, or combination thereof, to effect satisfactory remediation. It is desired to provide a system to assist a consumer in identifying specific conditions in an environment, such as a basement in need of remediation and products and services available to effect remediation.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a computer system for marketing applications comprises a computer processor and a display screen operably connected to the computer processor. The computer system further comprises a user interface for receiving instructions from a user, the user interface being operably connected to the computer processor. The computer processor is programmed to display an application menu on the visual display screen for selection of an application from the application menu by the user. The computer processor is further programmed to maintain a list of user-selected applications. The computer processor is further programmed to display a depiction of a predetermined environment on the display screen, the depiction including images of applications included on the list of user-selected applications shown applied in the predetermined environment. The computer processor is further programmed to update the depiction of the predetermined environment by adding an image of the application as applied in the predetermined environment, to the depiction of the predetermined environment on the display screen, in response to selection of the application by the user.  
         [0006]     In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a computer code embedded in a computer-readable medium comprises instructions for displaying an image of an arrangement of features related to a workspace to be modified and instructions for displaying a menu of application presentations. The code further comprises instructions for allowing a user to select an application presentation from the menu of application presentations and instructions for storing a list of selected applications in a computer memory. The code further comprises instructions for allowing a user, while viewing the selected application presentation, to add an application shown in the selected application presentation to the list of selected applications. The code further comprises instructions for displaying a modified image of the arrangement of features related to a workspace, showing the applications as applied to the workspace.  
         [0007]     In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment, a computer code embedded in a computer-readable medium. The computer code comprises instructions for displaying an image of an arrangement of features indicating a chamber, instructions for displaying a menu of applications for the chamber, and instructions for allowing a user to select an application from the menu of applications. The chamber is at least a partially subterranean chamber. The instructions allow user to specify a predetermined characteristic of said application. The code further comprises instructions for storing a list of selected applications and user specified characteristics in a computer memory and instructions for displaying a modified image of the arrangement of features indicating the chamber, showing the applications as applied to the chamber. The code further comprises instructions for obtaining a price for each selected application and instructions for generating a purchase order for the list of selected applications and user specified characteristics. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a system incorporating aspects in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of the system in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic depiction of an initial image of a workspace or installation environment displayed by the system in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is another schematic depiction of a modified image of the workspace or installation environment;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is yet another schematic depiction of a further modified image of the workspace or installation environment;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a screen page displayed on the system in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is another schematic diagram of a screen page displayed on the system in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is yet another schematic diagram of a screen page on the system in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged portion of the screen layout diagram in  FIG. 8 ; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is still another schematic diagram of a display screen of the system in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is another schematic diagram illustrating aspects of the system in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  shows, in schematic form, a system  100  incorporating features in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The system comprises a computer processor  110 , a visual display screen  120 , and a user interface  130 . The computer system may be a conventional general purpose computer system with a CRT or LCD display screen  120 , and a mouse or keyboard as the user interface  130 . In other embodiments, any suitable computer system may be used. Also, the display  120  and user interface  130  need not be separate devices. For example, a touch screen may be used for both the display  120  and the user interface  130 . The computer system may be a stand alone system, or may be connected to other systems such as via a local area network or the internet. For example, computer processor  110  may comprise both a proximate portion  112  and a remote processor portion  111 , which are connected via a network  113  such as the internet. This may allow the screen layouts and processes as described below, including the processes illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to be implemented over a web interface. Either the proximate or remote processor portions may be one or more servers, located in any desired location and communicating with any desired number of access stations.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of the system  100  in  FIG. 1 . The diagram in  FIG. 2  provides an overview of a computer program  200  stored in the computer processor  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . The process defined by the diagram shown in  FIG. 2  may be implemented using a computer code comprising instructions that may be executed by the computer processor  110 . The code may be embodied in a computer-readable medium such as a magnetic or optical disk, programmable memory chip, electrical or radio signal, or any other computer-readable medium. In one embodiment, the code may be recorded on a compact disk. In another embodiment, the code may be in the form of an executable script that is transmitted from a server (for example processor  111 ) to a client computer (e.g. processor  112 ) operated by a user, as may be the case with an internet web page. Also, the code may be distributed among several computers. This may be the case where a portion of the code is executed by an internet server and another portion is executed by a user&#39;s computer, connected to the sever via the internet.  
         [0022]     Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the program  200  may be initiated in block  205  by a user or administrator, or otherwise initiated. If the program is to be implemented on an in-store kiosk, motion sensors may initiate the program in block  205  upon sensing the approach of a consumer. Initialization of the program may, for example, queue an introduction display or presentation (e.g. “BASEMENT VISION”™) with moving or still images, audio or text, or any other characters or symbols providing the user an indication/information as to the nature and subject of the program. Although, the exemplary embodiments are described below with specific reference to a system for basement, crawlspace or other at least partially subterranean chamber remediation, for example purposes, the features of the present invention are applicable to any other desired system. After the program is initialized, a menu of options may be presented in block  210 . A user may select from this menu with user interface  130 . The user interface  130  may be a keyboard or touch screen, a hand-held pointing device such as a mouse, or some other device.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary screen page  600  with the menu of options that may be made available for display, on display  120  for example in block  210 . Screen page  600  comprises various sections. The arrangement shown in  FIG. 6  is merely exemplary, and in alternate embodiments the screen page may have any other desired arrangement. Screen page  600  may be the first or main screen page displayed after initialization. In this embodiment, header bar  605  may appear at the top of screen page  600  and may include basic information. For example, header bar  605  may specify the title of the screen page, such as with the words “Main Menu” appearing at the left side of the header bar. The header bar may have an icon(s)  610 , a representative one is shown on the right side for example purposes. Icon  610  may be an emblem of a product manufacturer, vendor or installer.  
         [0024]     As seen in  FIG. 6 , in this exemplary embodiment the screen page  600  may have several selectable sections  615 ,  620 , and  625 . Each selectable section may have an image associated therewith and title or other indicia allowing a user to identify a menu option available by selection of the given selectable section. Each selectable section may be selected by the user using the user interface  130 , for example by clicking on the section with a mouse. Selection of a selectable section by the user may cause the system to display a different screen page, corresponding to the identified menu option. Each selectable section may alter in appearance when the user seeks to interact with the section, such as by placing the cursor over the section. The location of the cursor might be changed by moving a mouse, or by other means. When the cursor is located over a selectable section, the background of that section may change in color, or a color bar at the bottom of the selectable section may expand to cover substantially all of the background area for that section. In addition, when the cursor is located over one of the selectable sections  615 ,  620 , and  625 , an image in that section may be transformed. For example, the object shown in the image may be made to appear to rotate in three dimensional space. Alternatively, the image may be an illustration of a grouping of products or services , and the products appearing may alter in rapid succession as the cursor remains located over the selectable section. That is, different products may be cycled into and out of the image, appearing and then disappearing. Locating the cursor over a major selectable section may also have the effect of causing the system  100  to generate a sound effect.  
         [0025]     In the exemplary embodiment, selecting selectable section  615  may facilitate viewing of information about the product manufacturer, vendor, or installer (for example “Basement Systems, Inc.”). Selecting major selectable section  620  may cause an image of the workspace (in this embodiment basement or crawlspace), along with a product list, to be displayed. This workspace may appear modified by the installation of user-selected products, as described below. Selecting major selectable section  625  may cause a menu of products/services or product/services presentations to be displayed. In alternate embodiments, more or fewer selectable sections may be provided.  
         [0026]     As seen in  FIG. 6 , screen page  600  may have other selectable sections  630 ,  635 ,  640 ,  645 , and  650  located in any desired arrangement. The other selectable sections  630 - 650  are referred to herein for example purposes as minor selectable sections which may have icon or image on the screen page smaller than the sections  615 ,  620 ,  625  for example. In alternate embodiments the minor selectable sections may have a representative image of any desired size. In this embodiment, each minor selectable section may comprise a narrow horizontal band, with descriptive textual information or images appearing thereon. The descriptive text and images may correspond to options which are accessed by selecting the particular minor selectable section. For example, a minor selectable section may have a title such as “Home Check” and an icon of a movie film. This may serve for example as an indication to the user that selecting the selectable section may cause a presentation, such as a video or other desired format, to be shown on the topic of checking a home, or a video with that title. The presentation may be a tutorial with for example explanations, instructions and demonstrative examples for identifying undesired or remedial conditions in the basement/crawlspace of a home. Other information provided on the minor selectable section(s) may be an indication of the duration of the presentation, i.e. the number of minutes and seconds it takes to view the presentation. Similar to selectable sections  615 ,  620 ,  625 , the background or other appearance of a minor selectable section may change when the cursor is located over the section. For example, the background may initially be gray but then change to blue when the cursor is located over the section, and again back to gray when the cursor is removed from the section. Moving the cursor over a minor selectable section may also cause the system  100  to generate a sound effect. Selectable sections may be provided, for example for “what causes a basement to leak” presentation, “options for repair” presentation, “why fix basement/crawlspace” presentation and “waterproofing/sealing” presentation. In alternate embodiments, selectable sections may be provided for any other presentations.  
         [0027]     In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , various other selectable sections may appear at the bottom of screen page  600 . For example, a section  655 , located in the lower left corner of the screen page  600 , may be labeled “CD MAP” and may cause a list of the contents of a CD to be displayed on the visual display screen  120  when it is selected. Also, at the lower right hand corner of the screen page  600  may be located a selectable section  665  labeled “EXIT” which, when selected, allows a user to exit the program. Next to selectable section  665  is selectable section  660 , labeled “AUDIO”. When the cursor is moved over this section, the section expands and a linear slide is shown that allows the user to adjust the level of sound output from the system.  
         [0028]     As noted before, if the user selects section  615  from screen page  600 , which section for example may be labeled “About the Company”, screen page  700 , shown in schematic form in  FIG. 7 , may be displayed in block  215  in  FIG. 2 . Screen page  700  shown in  FIG. 7  is merely exemplary, and may have any other desired arrangement and features in alternate embodiments. In this embodiment page  700  may have a header bar  705  which is similar to header bar  605  of screen page  700 . Header bar  705  may have text or other information related to contents of the page. Screen page  700  may include selectable sections  715 ,  720 ,  725 , and  730 . Each of the selectable sections  715 ,  720 ,  725 ,  730  may be associated with a menu choice, the menu choice being accessed by the user as previously described. Moving the cursor over one of the selectable sections may generate a visual or audio effect. Alternate embodiments may have a different number and arrangement of selectable sections, or no selectable section at all. Each of the selectable sections  715 ,  720 ,  725 , and  730  may be a graphical image which is representative of the menu selection, such as a reduced scale image of what would appear on visual display screen  120  (see  FIG. 1 ) if that particular section were selected. Each selectable section may have a label that is also indicative of the associated menu option. Selecting one of the selectable sections may cause a presentation such as a video clip, slide show, or still image to appear, or may cause some other activity. Moving the cursor over one of these sections may cause a sound effect to be generated. Screen page  700  may have similar features to page  600 , such as “Audio” and “Exit” buttons,  660  and  665 . Also appearing on screen page  700  in this embodiment are animated selectable sections  735 ,  740  and  745 . These animated selectable sections  735 ,  740 , and  745  may correspond to selectable sections  615 ,  620 , and  625  from screen page  600 . As such, they may have the same labels and/or appearance and access the same menu options, may show the same animated visual effects, and may generate sound effects when the cursor is located over one of them. In one embodiment, selectable selection  735  may allow return to “Main Menu”, page  600 . In this embodiment, a selectable section  715 - 730  on screen page  700  may access a portion of the computer program which allows the user to find information on a vendor(s) of the products or supplier of the services featured in the program.  FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating this procedure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. A user specifies (e.g. using user interface  130  in  FIG. 1 ), the desired geographic information, such as by entering city and state or other textual geographic information, block  1110  in  FIG. 11  , or selecting a region of a displayed map by clicking on the map with the mouse, block  1120 . In block  1130 , the computer system uses a database of vendors and geographic areas, registered in program  200 , or stored in memory of the processor  111 ,  112  and accessed by program  200 , to determine which vendors serve the indicated area. Block  1140  of  FIG. 11  shows, the names and contact information of the vendors are displayed on display  120 .  
         [0029]     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , if the user desires to browse or seek more information on available products/services or sales, the user may select the menu of product or sales presentations, such as by clicking on section  625  with the mouse, and in response to which a menu of such presentations appears on the visual display screen  120  (block  245  in  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 10  shows screen page  1000 , which displays an exemplary menu of product presentations. In alternate embodiments the screen page may have any desired arrangement. In this exemplary embodiment, screen page  1000  may have a header bar  1005 . Header bar  1005  may display an appropriate label, such as “Products”, and may for example, have an icon  610  located at the right side. Screen page  1000  also may have selectable sections  735 ′,  740 ′, and  745 ′. Selectable sections  735 ′,  740 ′, and  735 ′ may have similar appearance and functionality as section  735 ,  740 ,  745  on screen page  700 , described before. Section  745 ′ corresponding to access of the product information page, may be non-animated and made non-selectable. Screen page  1000  may also have section  660 ′, labeled “Audio”, and section  665 ′, labeled “Exit”, which have similar functionality to sections  660 ,  665  described before. Several selectable section(s)  1015  for selecting product presentation(s), or further submenu(s) of product presentation(s), may appear on screen page  1000 . In alternate embodiments more or fewer selectable sections may be provided. Each selectable section  1015 A- 1015 J may be labeled with the name of an associated product or set of products and/or services, and may have one or more images on the section which show the associated product(s). Each selectable section  1015 A- 1015 J may alter in appearance when the cursor is placed over the section, such as through a change in background coloration from gray to blue. Each selectable section  1015 A- 1015 J may be selectable, for example by clicking on it with a mouse or touching it on a touch screen, or otherwise selectable. Selecting one of the selectable sections  1015 A- 1015 J may cause either a product presentation to be displayed, or a menu of product presentations. In the exemplary embodiment, the selectable sections  1015 A- 1015 J may correspond to areas or types of remediation features of the representative basement or crawlspace. The presentation(s) queued by a given selectable section  1015 A- 1015 J may be grouped for product(s) and/or service(s) that remediate basement/crawlspace remedial features having some common characteristic or attribute. For example, selectable sections  1015 A,  1015 B for perimeter drain systems may correspond to basement perimeter floor or sub-floor fluid collection and direction, section  1015 C to sump pump systems, section  1015 D to interior fluid source floor protection (e.g. leaks from interior tanks and piping connections such as domestic water), section  1015 E to floor systems (e.g. dry floor matting), section  1015 F to exterior systems (e.g. raw chutes), section  1015 G to joint (e.g. foundation wall seam or crack) sealing system, section  1015 H to barrier (e.g. vapor), moisture barrier systems, section  1015 I to basement window systems and section  1015 J to dehumidification systems. In alternate embodiments, selectable sections corresponding to other areas or types of remediation features.  
         [0030]     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , in block  245  the user may select from among the presentations, causing the program to proceed to block  255  or, alternatively, to block  250 . After the user selects a product presentation, that presentation may be shown on the screen. Each product presentation may be a static visual image or slide show, or may comprise moving images, audio, or other aspects. Before, during the presentation, or at its conclusion, an option may be presented, for example via a selectable section  1016  (see  FIG. 10 ) displayed on the screen (at any desired time), to the user for adding a product featured in the presentation to a list of selected products. If the product is selected to be added to the list, block  255  in  FIG. 2 , the computer may proceed directly to display the workspace (block  230   FIG. 2 ) on the display. In this case, the workspace image is shown on the display modified by the installation of selected products, as will be described below. As may be realized, in this embodiment, selection of a section, for example section  1015 A, queues presentations for products, such as the WaterGuard™ drainage products available from Basement Systems, Inc., that collect water at the basement perimeter wall and direct the water to a desired outlet. Thus a user desiring information on products for remediation of a water seepage problem at the basement perimeter wall, may directly investigate such products by selecting product section  625  (screen  600  in  FIG. 6 ) (calling up screen  1000  in  FIG. 10 ) and selecting feature  1015 A from screen  1000 . The user may select one or more product/service presentations from the set of presentation(s) queued by selection of section  1015 A and add the selected product(s)/service(s) using section  1016  as desired. The user may similarly access any desired basement remediation product/service presentation and any desired remediation product/service.  
         [0031]     If the user in block  210  selects to view the workspace, or if a user selects to add a product to the list of selected products, block  255 , as described above, an image is displayed showing the basement/crawlspace workspace  870  (see  FIG. 8 ).  FIG. 8  shows an exemplary screen page  800  that may be called up by selecting section  620  (see  FIG. 6 ) of section  1016  (see  FIG. 10 ). In this exemplary embodiment, portion  805  of the screen page is an image  870  of the workspace. In this embodiment, the image  870  shows a basement crawlspace or partially subterranean chamber (i.e. has visual or other features allowing a user to understand the image is of basement etc.) As will be described in greater detail below, the workspace image may be shown in an initial condition and as modified by the installation of selected products or by performance of various services. In the initial condition, the basement image may have visual or other cues indicating to the user a representative condition of the basement workspace with features in which remediation is desired. For example, in the initial condition the imaged basement workspace may appear dark, damp, and otherwise generally unappealing. Then, as products are selected and added to the list, the basement image is modified to illustrate the installation of those products in the basement. This modified basement image may have visual or other cues indicating that product installation effects remediation of the basement, for example may appear more appealing and convey the idea that an actual basement will be dryer, cleaner, and brighter after installation of the selected products, and that the undesired effects from water or other fluids in the basement would be decreased or eliminated. The products may appear as installed in appropriate places. For example, a drain would appear on the floor, wall covering on walls, window seal on a window, and so forth. The workspace images and features therein may be schematic or representative and may not appear fully realistic, through they may in some embodiments. For example, the image of the workspace may be a generic image of a basement rather than an image of the actual site of installation. Similarly, while the program may allow the user to choose the location for the products to appear, the location may instead be pre-defined in the computer code. Also, the number of products appearing on the screen may or may not correspond to the exact quantity selected. For example, a generic basement image may show two basement windows while a user may specify more than two basement window seals. In such a case, two seals may appear on the modified image. Displaying an image of a workspace as modified by the installation of selected products may aid the user in remembering what products were selected and/or ordered.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates schematically the image  870 A of the basement workspace in the initial condition. In this embodiment, the basement workspace depicted in the image appears as being viewed from a side perspective as if standing within the basement. In alternate embodiments, the perspective of the workspace image may be as desired. The workspace image in this embodiment has rear wall  335 , side walls  310  and  320 , floor  315 , and ceiling  305 . In the rear wall  335  are two windows  325 ,  330 . As noted before, one or more of the basement features may have visual or other cues indicating a remedial condition due to for example underground water seepage or other environmental condition affecting basements. For example, the walls  310 ,  320 ,  335  may be shown with darkened areas  310 M,  335 M indicating mildewed regions due to dampness. The mildew regions  310 M,  335 M may be positioned to indicate areas of higher moisture where some remediation may be desired. For example, wall  335  may be shown as a poured concrete wall which generally is subject to moisture from underground water infiltration at the wall to slab joint  335 J. Accordingly, in this embodiment mildew region  335 M is shown proximate area of moisture along joint  335 J. Other mildew areas  335 M may be due to infiltrating moisture past window  325 , or from collecting moisture due to a damp/wet basement. Wall  310 , shown as a hollow core (cinder) block wall which is quite porous, has mildew region  310 M substantially covering the wall face indicating possible moisture penetration through the entire wall and that remediation may be useful for the wall rather than localized region. The initial image  870 A may show other remedial features such as a wall crack  327 . In alternate embodiments, the initial image of the basement may have more or fewer and different basement features, and the remediation indicating characteristics may be illustrated in any desired manner (e.g. showing areas of standing water, or symbols, labels identifying the type of remedial condition.)  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows the modified image  870 B of the workspace in  FIG. 3  modified by the addition of a product  350 , which in this example may be a dehumidifier. The basement workspace in the modified image  870 B in  FIG. 4 , is substantially similar to the basement workspace in image  870 A in  FIG. 3  and similar features are similarly numbered. The modified image, as noted before, may be generated by selection of a product by the user (see block  230 ,  255  in  FIG. 2 ). In addition to the inclusion of the selected product (dehumidifier  350 ), the basement features (e.g. walls  310 ′,  320 ′,  335 ′) in the modified image  870 B may be changed, relative to the appearance in the initial image  870 A in  FIG. 3 , to show a change (i.e., improvement elimination) in remedial conditions affected by selected product(s)/service(s) installation. For example, mildew areas  310 M,  335 M (shown in  FIG. 3 ) may be eliminated, reduced or shown changed in appearance in the modified image  870 B ( FIG. 4 ) to indicate a general reduction in mildew on the walls  310 ′,  320 ′,  335 ′ due to addition of the dehumidifier  350 . Deselection of the selected product returns the displayed image to the initial condition. Selection of further products causes the basement image to be further modified to add the selected products and account for the remediative effects of those products to the basement features depicted in the image. For example,  FIG. 5  shows the image  870 C further modified from the image  870 B in  FIG. 4  by the addition of other selected products such as window enclosures  360 ,  365  and drainage pump  370 . Note that the products are shown in appropriate places. The drainage pump  370  is shown on the floor and window enclosures  360 ,  365  are shown on the windows  325 ″,  330 ″. The appearance of the windows  325 ″,  330 ″ is changed relative to that shown in images  870 A,  870 B to show the remediative effects of installation of the window enclosures  360 ,  365 . Other embodiments may of course use different products and different workspaces or installation environments.  
         [0034]     As noted before,  FIG. 8  shows screen page  800 , for example displayed in block  230 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , in this exemplary embodiment, screen page  800  may be divided principally between two major portions. In alternate embodiments, the screen page may have any desired configuration. Top portion  805  has image  870  of the workspace, as shown in  FIGS. 3-5  and described above. Bottom portion  810  of screen page  800  shows a product(s)/service(s) menu. In this embodiment the menu in bottom portion  810  comprises a plurality of item sections  815 . The menu may be continuously displayed or may be a pull down menu (e.g. the sections  815  may appear on demand). Each item section  815  may be associated with a particular product or service and appropriately labeled to indicated that product or service. The product(s)/service(s) of item sections  815  may correspond to product/service presentations accessible from screen page  1000  shown in  FIG. 10  and described before. In alternate embodiments, item sections may be provided for more or fewer product(s)/service(s). The product(s)/service(s) of item sections  815  may be applicable to one or more of the basement features shown in basement image  870 . Selection of an item section, as will be described below, may generate a modified image (similar to image  870 A,  870 B) of the workspace with the associated product/service shown in an applied or installed condition. The item sections  815  may collectively form a list of materials  860 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  shows some of the item sections  815  of  FIG. 8 , enlarged to show detail. Five item sections,  905 ,  910 ,  915 ,  920 , and  925  are shown for example purposes. Each has an appropriate label  955 ,  960 ,  965 ,  970 , and  975 , respectively, which indicates the product or service represented by that particular item section. Each item section  815  may have a sourcing specifier such as quantity or color or other sourcing characteristic indicator  930  for displaying the sourcing specifier  931  of the item which has been selected. In addition, each item section may have an item price indicator  940 , for displaying the price of the selected product of the item. A check box  950  is also displayed in each item area, and a check  955  is displayed in the check box if the item has been selected. Any text appearing in the item section, such as the label and indications of price and quantity, may also appear darker or otherwise emphasized if the item has been selected, as compared with the appearance without selection of the item. Selection of an item section  815  may be effected with the user interface. If the user clicks on an item section  815 , a pop-up box may be displayed with an option to change the quantity of product selected for the product corresponding to that item section. In alternate embodiments, selection of an item section  815  may also call up a product presentation for the associated product. Selection of the item section causes the processor to generate a list of selected product(s)/service(s) that is updated with each item section selection or deselection.  
         [0036]     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , bottom portion  810  further comprises a total register  835  and indicators  820 ,  825 , and  830 . The total register  835  may have an appropriate label such as “Total Investment”, along with a numeric display of the total price of all of the selected items. The indicators  820 ,  825  and  830  which may be color coded for example, green  820 , yellow  825 , and red  830 , respectively, resembling a traffic light turned on its side, may operate to allow the user to alter the information displayed in the item sections. For example, with the green color indicator  820  selected, all price information may be displayed. With the yellow color indicator  825  selected, the item price indicators  940  of the item sections  815  may appear blank while total indicator  835  still displays the total price of the selected products and services. Selecting red color indicator  830  may cause all price information to be removed from screen page  800 . Each indicator may be selected by clicking on it, and may appear brighter or otherwise altered in appearance when selected. Indicator  820  may be initially selected as a default, with the user able to change from the default selection. Selecting any one of the indicators  820 ,  825 , or  830  may automatically cause the other color indicators to be de-selected and therefore return to their normal, less bright appearance. Also appearing on screen page  800 , at the bottom thereof, are selectable sections  735 ′,  740 ′, and  745 ′ similar to selectable sections  735 ,  740 ,  745  that appear on screen page  700  ( FIG. 7 ) and are described above.  
         [0037]     In this embodiment, screen page  800  also has a header bar  840  with an appropriate label, such as “My Basement”. Icon  610  also appears at the right of header bar  840 . Screen page  800  may further have two selectable sections or buttons  845  and  850  positioned as desired. Section  845  may be labeled “Save” and may be selectable for saving the current list of selected items and if desired the current configuration of the workspace image to a suitable storage location of the processor such as a hard disk or other device. Section  850  may be labeled “Print” and may be selectable for printing the current list and/or image of the workspace as modified by the installation of the user selected products, the inventory, or other information. In other embodiments, screen page  800  may have additional functionality, such as an option for generating a purchase order.  
         [0038]     If in block  230   FIG. 2 , the user elects to have the program generate a purchase order, the computer will obtain a price in block  235  for each product. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, if the computer code is distributed on compact disks, each disk may have a spreadsheet file or table indicating prices, or price information may be stored in another format or medium. Alternatively, the computer may query another computer that is remote from the user, to obtain current price information. The internet or any other suitable form of networking or non-networked communication may also be used. If the computer is an in-store kiosk, this communication may be performed using TCP/IP protocol on a local area network. In addition to its use in generating a purchase order, the price information may be used as a data source for item price indicators  940  and total indicator  835  on screen page  800 . In some embodiments, the code also may be configured to calculate special rebates, quantity discounts, and the like in generating a purchase order. In block  235 , the computer processor  110  may use the price information to generate a purchase order. The purchase order may then be displayed to the user on the visual display screen  120 . Also in block  235 , an option may be presented to the user to submit the purchase order. If the option is selected, the purchase order is sent, in block  240  of  FIG. 2 , to a desired processing center for execution. In some embodiments, the purchase order may be electronically submitted to a manufacturer, vendor, installer, or other recipient. For example, if the code is implemented with a web page, a purchase order may be electronically submitted from computer processor  110  to a remote web page server, such as that of a manufacturer, vendor or installer.  
         [0039]     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the claims.