Abstract:
Preferred embodiments include a method and apparatus for generating customized product documentation for a furniture item having a plurality of surface material options. A computer receives a plurality of images of surface materials which may be applied to a furniture item and stores the images into a computer database. Label information describing each of the plurality of images and the furniture item is also received into the database. Surface material images are electronically displayed and an image is selected for application to the furniture item. The computer maps the selected surface material onto an image depicting the furniture item. An electronic document is generated which includes an image of the furniture item having the selected surface material mapped thereon and the label information associated with the selected surface material and the furniture item.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/473,995 filed Oct. 3, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,035, which claims the benefit of PCT application Serial No. PCT/US02/18993 filed Jun. 17, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/298,454 filed Jun. 15, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Furniture may be manufactured in a multitude of different configurations, each having a respective set of surface material options including fabrics, vinyls, textures, colors, finishes etc. This manufacturing complexity creates a challenge to furniture marketers because the preparation of a catalog displaying all possible configurations may be cost prohibitive. For larger furniture/textile manufactures, creating a catalog which comprehensively discloses all available furniture/surface material combinations would result in a binder that (i) cannot be readily released to the typical customer due to its physical size and cost, (ii) would largely comprise configurations a customer is simply not interested in, (iii) cannot be readily copied, and (iv) is difficult to update when changes in configurations and associated information occur. Furthermore, images, specifications, descriptions, prices and other label information may originate from different sources (e.g. furniture manufacturers, textile manufacturers, furniture/textile assemblers, distributors, retailers, photographers, etc.) which further complicates the compilation of product catalogs. 
     Online catalogs reduce some of these challenges. For example, a customer can browse an online furniture inventory, and print or download available materials. However, such sites typically do not provide images for all available furniture-surface material configurations. This is because it is prohibitively costly, especially for larger manufacturers, to manufacture all possible configurations, and photograph them for uploading and presentation at an online catalog. Also, new surface materials and furniture configurations are often added, complicating the manufacture-assembly-photography process for all possible configurations. These hurdles typically result in only the more popular configurations being provided. Customers that are not interested in this subset of available configurations are left to imagine the particular furniture-surface material configuration he or she is interested in. 
     What is needed is a method and apparatus that simplifies and enhances the provision of an online furniture catalog enabling customers to flexibly configure furniture-surface material combinations, and generate product documentation for those customer-defined configurations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a method and apparatus for generating customized product documentation for a furniture item having a plurality of surface material options. A computer receives a plurality of images of surface materials which may be applied to a furniture and stores the images into a computer database. Surface material images may be presented in a variety of light color temperatures or environmental conditions. Label information describing each of the plurality of images is also received into the database. 
     Surface material images are electronically displayed and an image is selected for application to the item of furniture. The computer maps the selected surface material onto an image depicting the furniture item. A plurality of mapping methods may be implemented, including but not limited to color mapping, bump mapping and texture mapping. 
     An electronic document is generated which includes an image of the selected furniture item having the selected surface material mapped thereon and the label information associated with the selected surface material. The document may be generated in a portable document format (PDF). 
     The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred system architecture for implementing the present invention within the surface material industry; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of how custom content data may change at each stage of a hypothetical layered response construction; 
         FIG. 3  is a block flow diagram illustrating example licensee and site administrator architecture and functionality supported in accordance with the example fabric and finish implementation of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block flow diagram illustrating a preferred methodology for implementing the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     The following detailed description and associated drawings of the present invention concern preferred embodiments or implementations of the invention. Accordingly, the following description and associated drawings do not describe every conceivable and possible embodiment or implementation of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that aspects of the present invention may be changed or otherwise adapted to best-fit a particular implementation of the present invention. 
     Applications of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the custom-labeling of any content or media that can be played, displayed or otherwise output by a computer device. Such content includes computer-generated graphics, pictorial representations of physical objects, samples, text, audio, video, etc. Types of computer output include graphical visual display, audio file output via speaker, download (e.g., to personal computer device, disk, etc.), upload (e.g., to network server, mainframe, peer computer, etc.), and others. 
     Content in the form of surface material samples includes a representation of any material that can be applied to an object to change its physical appearance (e.g., fabrics, finishes, carpets, laminates, paints, stains, textures, etc.). Typically, surface materials are applied to furniture, countertops, tables, walls, floors, ceilings and the like to enhance their appearance. Notably, the range of surface materials may also include non-textile products such as cosmetics and industrial materials. 
     Label information to be applied to content or media includes, but is not limited to, a brand or logo, pricing information, descriptive information, specification information, performance information, warranty information, contact information, etc. 
     For illustrative purposes only, preferred embodiments or implementations of the present invention may be described in the context of the fabric and finish industry. Surface materials utilized within this industry may include upholsteries, seating fabrics, panel fabrics, vinyls, paints, laminates, stains, etc. These surface materials may be brought to market by various textile manufacturers, furniture manufacturers, re-manufacturers, distributors and retailers who may supply or compete against one another with common fabrics and finishes. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred system architecture for implementing the present invention within the fabric and finish industry. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that aspects  FIG. 1  may be changed, rearranged or otherwise adapted to best-fit a particular system implementation of the present invention—inside or outside of the fabric and finish industry. 
     Block  100  encompasses an aspect of the present invention for processing and serving custom-labeled fabric and finish content (e.g., fabric and finish samples, etc.) to a plurality of distributed servers  102   a - 102   n  and/or client computers  104   a - 104   n . As described in greater detail below, processing and serving data may additionally take place at distributed servers  102   a - 102   n.    
     Communication with components of block  100  may be established in a variety of manners including a computer network (LAN, WAN, etc.), dial-up or other direct link, wireless link, etc. Preferably, communication with components of block  100  is via TCP/IP over the Internet. 
     Users of the custom text, branding and/or and pictorial representations of custom-labeled fabric and finish content include, but are not limited to, operators of client computers  104   a - 104   n  and/or administrators of servers  102   a - 102   n . In a preferred arrangement, business entities administrating servers  102   a - 102   n  (e.g., textile manufacturers, furniture manufacturers, re-manufacturers, distributors, retailers etc.) enter into a contractual agreement for the right to use or access custom branding, text and/or pictorial representations of custom-labeled fabrics and finishes, in an electronic format, from block  100 . In one embodiment, the contractual agreement will be in the form a license agreement wherein the licensor administers block  100  and the licensee business entity administers servers  102   a - 102   n . Via client computers  104   a - 104   n , customers of the licensee business entities may access fabric and finish samples offered for sale by the licensee business entities. 
     In one implementation of the present invention, block  100  supports the creation, maintenance and sharing of multiple electronic catalogs for licensee business entities. These catalogs may contain the custom branding, text and/or pictorial representations of custom-labeled fabrics and finishes in an electronic format. 
     The catalog feature may be configured to associate specific fabric and finish samples with specific licensee products. For example, a furniture manufacturer may sell an upholstered chair. Only 40 of the 5,000 total fabrics offered by the furniture manufacturer may be suitable for use on the particular model of upholstered chair. The catalog feature may be configured to associate only the 40 suitable fabrics with the particular model of upholstered chair. 
     In a preferred implementation of the present invention, operators of client computers  104   a - 104   n  (consumers, customers, end users, etc.) access content (catalogs, etc.) from block  100  via hyperlinks links on licensee Internet sites. Alternately, a client operator may access content from block  100  directly—without first browsing a licensee Internet site. The direct arrangement may occur, for example, where an advertisement, e-mail, business card, etc. communicates a URL to a client computer operator. Preferably, interaction between a client and licensee server and/or block  100  is via a standard Internet browser utilizing TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, etc. 
     Licensee internet sites may be hosted on servers  102   a - 102   n . These sites may contain hyperlinks to block  100  (represented in  FIG. 1  by dotted lines). In one implementation, a licensee&#39;s entire product catalog is served electronically by block  100 . In another implementation, a licensee maintains and serves its own electronic catalog containing hyperlinks to particular custom-labeled content served at block  100 . 
     Internet server  106  is a gateway for client data requests from block  100 . In one implementation, Internet server  106  dispatches these requests to appropriate application servers. In the fabric and finish example, application servers may include an administrative server  108 , an application server  110 , an image processing server  112 , and a database server  114 . In further accordance with the fabric and finish example, database server  114  may be in operable communication with databases including a layered branding chain database  116 , a branded content database  118  and an image repository  120 . 
     In a preferred implementation of the present invention, surface material samples are processed and custom-labeled at application server  110 . In one embodiment, such processing may take place in response to a client data request. 
     In addition, application server  110  may be configured to support layered responses to client requests for surface material samples and related related label information. In one embodiment of the present invention, layering responses includes the steps of adding, substituting and/or re-branding specification and related product data for successive tiers or points within a supply chain. 
     Data requests made by a client machine to the webserver  106  may contain business entity identifier, such as a licensee identifier. Entity identifiers may be implemented in a variety of manners include being coded into hyperlinks clicked from a client machine, read from a cookie on a client machine, or obtained through other methods depending on the needs of a particular implementation of the system. 
     In one embodiment, entity identifiers may be encoded within each data request to the web server  106 . The web server passes these identifiers to the application server  110  which uses them to reference information such as the identity, profile, and layered response construction business rules from the layered branding chain database  116 . 
     In addition, codes may provide additional information and/or association/indication as to the identity of a licensee, a specific licensee product or group of products to display, product marketing group, product or group information, etc. These codes may be implemented in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, these codes may be embedded within hyperlinks that are clicked from a client machine, read from a cookie on a client machine, or obtained through other methods depending on the needs of a particular implementation of the system. 
     For example, assume that a group of manufacturers, distributors and retailers are all licensees in operable communication with block  100 . Assume that a manufacturer or “fabric mill” manufactures a particular type of furniture fabric. Three distributors supply this fabric to multiple retailers. Block  100  maintains knowledge of the supply chain relationships between the licensees and the custom-labeled surface material samples that are unique to each licensee. In one implementation, block  100  automatically identifies which tier or point within a supply chain that a particular request for content originates from. 
     Once the layer is identified, block  100  serves the appropriate content having the appropriate label information. For example, a surface material called “Red Fabric” by a manufacturer may be sold as “Sunrise” by a distributor, and resold as “Sunshine” by one retailer and “Sun Red” by another retailer. 
     In this example, block  100  delivers a product data set with a product name that is customized for content requests from particular points or tiers within that product&#39;s supply chain. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of how sample label information may change at each stage of a hypothetical layered response construction. Underlined text indicates data that has changed from a previous layer in the supply chain. In this example, a client request from Retailer  2  for data about Product X will see a product named “Light Blue.” A client request from Distributor B for data about Product X will see a product named “Moon Rise.” Text-based information that may be presented in association with content such as a surface finish sample includes, to the extent applicable: the name of the product, the color, the other available colors, the fiber content, the weave type, the weight, the width, the performance, cleaning code, light-fastness, breaking strength, pattern repeat, recommended applications, roll size, seam slippage, flammability, U/L approval, etc. Performance characteristics may include anti-stain finish, colorfastness, strength, resistance, abrasion and moisture regain. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , image processing server  112  serves up content to Internet server  106  and/or application server  110 . In the fabrics and finishes implementation of the present invention, for example, this content may include product and sample imagery. Imagery may be presented in a variety of file formats including but not limited to .tiff, .bmp. .jpg, .pdf, etc. Preferably, thumbnails of the images are provided to enhance initial content download time. Additional functionality may include a client ability to interactively zoom or otherwise magnify images. 
     Surface material samples may be delivered to or from aspects of block  100  via download, e-mail attachment, file transfer protocol (FTP), electronic data interchange (EDI), extensible mark-up language (XML), etc. 
     Preferably, surface material sample images are processed to show color, pattern and texture accurately for a variety of light color temperatures and environmental conditions. Products and samples may be displayed in a variety of different ambient lights (e.g., incandescent, fluorescent, tungsten, natural lighting, sunshine, etc.). Color correction such as Kodak Verifi Color may be implemented to enhance the presentation of visual content. High-resolution color PDF documents may also be provided so that client operators can print true-to-life product and sample imagery. In yet another embodiment, the samples may be mapped (color mapped, bump mapped, texture mapped, etc.) onto a two or three-dimensional representation of an object or product. For example, a customer browsing a furniture retailer&#39;s inventory may be provided with functionality for selecting different chair fabric samples to be mapped onto a three-dimensional representation of a chair offered for sale by the retailer. 
     Databases in operable communication with database server  114  maintain content, data and relationships to support functionality hosted at the Internet server  106 , the image processing server  112  and administrative server  108  (described herein). 
     Administrative server  108  may be configured to provide administrative functionality for managing data and/or content. 
       FIG. 3  is a block flow diagram illustrating example administration architecture and functionality supported in accordance with the example fabric and finish implementation of the present invention. In this example, authorized administrators and/or licensees access an administrative Internet site hosted on the Internet server ( 106  in  FIG. 1 ) via a secure login, as represented in block  300 . Upon login, authorized users are presented with a main administration page, as represented in block  302 . 
     Upon selecting the site administrator hyperlink the user (if authorized) is presented with a site administration page, as represented in block  304 . Here, the administrator selects from hyperlinks including “manage samples,” “manage sample codes,” etc. Upon selecting the “manage samples” hyperlink, the administrator is presented with a sample management page, as represented in block  306 . The sample management page enables an administrator to identify default names for fabrics and finish samples, assign samples to licensee catalogs, edit the samples, add samples (including samples provided by licensees themselves), delete samples, etc. Modifying a sample includes defining an image for the sample, defining attributes for the sample (e.g., description, sample code, technical information, etc.), defining whether the sample is “active” within the system, etc. 
     Managing sample and relationship codes, as represented in block  308 , includes functionality for associating attributes with surface material samples, associating surface material samples with business entities, associating surface material samples with label information, etc. For example, sample and relationship codes may be configured for a particular business entity to define what surface material samples or groups of surface material samples to display to the business entity&#39;s customers. Sample and relationship codes may also associate label information with surface material samples. In one embodiment of the present invention, the business entity itself may define some or all of the label/sample attribute data that pertains to that business entity&#39;s surface material samples. 
     Authorized administrators and/or authorized licensees accessing the administrative server  108  have access to a licensee administration page, as represented in block  310 . Here, administrators and/or licensees have the option of viewing and configuring licensee account information as represented in block  312 , viewing an online catalog configuration overview as represented in block  314 , and managing samples included within an online catalog as represented in block  316 . 
     Licensee account information may include the licensee&#39;s formal name, one or more e-mail address to which customer sample orders and other correspondence may be forwarded, contact information for the licensee and licensee service level. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Level 
                 Level Description 
                 Automated Business Rules 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1 
                 Standard Showroom Features: 
                 Fabrics and Patterns made active in 
               
               
                   
                 Browse an up-to-date fabric and finish 
                 the global catalog do not appear in any 
               
               
                   
                 library by category 
                 licencee&#39;s catalog until explicitly added 
               
               
                   
                 Search for specific item by category, 
                 by an administrative action. 
               
               
                   
                 color, or style 
                 Every Fabric and Pattern made 
               
               
                   
                 Search results display small thumbnail 
                 inactive in the global catalog is 
               
               
                   
                 images for quick review 
                 immediately and automatically made 
               
               
                   
                 Click on a thumbnail image for a large 
                 inactive in the licensee&#39;s catalog. 
               
               
                   
                 detail image and specification 
                 When global patterns and fabrics are 
               
               
                   
                 information 
                 added to a licensee&#39;s catalog, they 
               
               
                   
                 Print or save any detailed sample 
                 default to the “active” state. 
               
               
                   
                 image and specification in PDF format 
                 Sample orders are routed to the 
               
               
                   
                 Add fabrics and finishes to project file 
                 sample order address referenced from 
               
               
                   
                 that can be e-mailed to anyone for 
                 the licensee&#39;s profile. 
               
               
                   
                 further discussion, opinions, and 
               
               
                   
                 approvals 
               
               
                   
                 Make finish selections and add them to 
               
               
                   
                 sample order 
               
               
                   
                 Easily place online sample orders. 
               
               
                   
                 Users may request samples be delivered 
               
               
                   
                 to their own address or directly to a 
               
               
                   
                 client 
               
               
                   
                 Private Label System Features: 
               
               
                   
                 Branded Fabric and Finish Sample 
               
               
                   
                 Room, including branded project files 
               
               
                   
                 and PDF information sheets 
               
               
                   
                 Include any or all fabrics from global 
               
               
                   
                 catalog 
               
               
                   
                 Kodak Verifi Web Accurate Color 
               
               
                   
                 System (www.verifi.net) 
               
               
                   
                 Sample order routing to Licensee or 
               
               
                   
                 directly to a fulfillment center 
               
               
                   
                 Licensee-defined product grading 
               
               
                   
                 All fabrics and finishes can follow 
               
               
                   
                 licensee-specific naming conventions 
               
               
                 2 
                 Standard Showroom Features: 
                 Fabrics and Patterns made active in 
               
               
                   
                 Browse an up-to-date fabric and finish 
                 the global catalog do not appear in any 
               
               
                   
                 library by category 
                 licensee&#39;s catalog until explicitly added 
               
               
                   
                 Search for specific item by category, 
                 by an administrative action. 
               
               
                   
                 grade, color, or style 
                 Every Fabric and Pattern made 
               
               
                   
                 Search results display small thumbnail 
                 inactive in the global catalog is 
               
               
                   
                 images for quick review 
                 immediately and automatically made 
               
               
                   
                 Click on a thumbnail image for a large 
                 inactive in the licensee&#39;s catalog. 
               
               
                   
                 detail image and specification 
                 When global patterns and fabrics are 
               
               
                   
                 information 
                 added to a licensee&#39;s catalog, they 
               
               
                   
                 Print or save any detailed sample 
                 default to the “active” state. 
               
               
                   
                 image and specification in PDF format 
                 Sample orders are routed to the 
               
               
                   
                 Add fabrics and finishes to project file 
                 sample order address referenced from 
               
               
                   
                 that can be e-mailed to anyone for 
                 the licensee&#39;s profile. 
               
               
                   
                 further discussion, opinions, and 
               
               
                   
                 approvals 
               
               
                   
                 Make finish selections and add them to 
               
               
                   
                 sample order 
               
               
                   
                 Easily place online sample orders. 
               
               
                   
                 Users may request samples be delivered 
               
               
                   
                 to their own address or directly to a 
               
               
                   
                 client 
               
               
                   
                 Private Label System Features: 
               
               
                   
                 Branded Fabric and Finish Sample 
               
               
                   
                 Room, including branded project files 
               
               
                   
                 and PDF information sheets 
               
               
                   
                 Include any finish material from any 
               
               
                   
                 source 
               
               
                   
                 Kodak Verifi Web Accurate Color 
               
               
                   
                 System (www.verifi.net) 
               
               
                   
                 Sample order routing to Licensee or 
               
               
                   
                 directly to a fulfillment center 
               
               
                   
                 Licensee-defined product grading 
               
               
                   
                 All fabrics and finishes can follow 
               
               
                   
                 licensee-specific naming conventions 
               
               
                 3 
                 Standard Showroom Features: 
                 Fabrics and Patterns made active in 
               
               
                   
                 Click fabric or finishes link from a 
                 the global catalog do not appear in any 
               
               
                   
                 product entry in furniture catalog to 
                 licensee&#39;s catalog until explicitly added 
               
               
                   
                 browse and search only the finishes 
                 by an administrative action 
               
               
                   
                 approved for use with the specific 
                 Every Fabric and Pattern made 
               
               
                   
                 furniture product 
                 inactive in the global catalog is 
               
               
                   
                 Search within approved finish set by 
                 immediately and automatically made 
               
               
                   
                 grade, color, or style 
                 inactive in the licensee&#39;s catalog. 
               
               
                   
                 Search results display small thumbnail 
                 When global patterns and fabrics are 
               
               
                   
                 images for quick review 
                 added to a licensee&#39;s catalog, they 
               
               
                   
                 Click on thumbnail image for large 
                 default to the “active” state. 
               
               
                   
                 detail image and specification 
                 Materials imaged for a licensee are 
               
               
                   
                 information 
                 associated with the material datarecord 
               
               
                   
                 Print or save any detailed sample 
                 by identifier at upload. 
               
               
                   
                 image and specification in PDF format 
                 Licensee materials entered into the 
               
               
                   
                 Add fabrics and finishes along with 
                 global catalog do not appear in the 
               
               
                   
                 name of furniture product with which 
                 licensee&#39;s catalog until they are 
               
               
                   
                 they are associated to a project file that 
                 explicitly added. 
               
               
                   
                 can be e-mailed to anyone for further 
                 Sample orders are routed to the 
               
               
                   
                 discussion, opinions, and approvals 
                 sample order address referenced from 
               
               
                   
                 Make finish selections and add them to 
                 the licensee&#39;s profile. 
               
               
                   
                 a sample order 
               
               
                   
                 Easily place online sample orders. 
               
               
                   
                 Users may request samples be delivered 
               
               
                   
                 to their own address or directly to a 
               
               
                   
                 client 
               
               
                   
                 Private Label System Features: 
               
               
                   
                 Branded Fabric and Finish Sample 
               
               
                   
                 Room, including branded project files 
               
               
                   
                 and PDF information sheets 
               
               
                   
                 Include any finish material from any 
               
               
                   
                 source 
               
               
                   
                 Kodak Verifi Web Accurate Color 
               
               
                   
                 System (www.verifi.net) 
               
               
                   
                 Sample order routing to Licensee or 
               
               
                   
                 directly to a fulfillment center 
               
               
                   
                 Licensee-defined product grading 
               
               
                   
                 All fabrics and finishes can follow 
               
               
                   
                 licensee-specific naming conventions 
               
               
                 4 
                 Standard Furniture Catalog 
                 Fabrics and Patterns made active in 
               
               
                   
                 Features: 
                 the global catalog do not appear in any 
               
               
                   
                 Basic furniture catalog in its own 
                 licensee&#39;s catalog until explicitly added 
               
               
                   
                 window. 
                 by an administrative action. 
               
               
                   
                 In many cases furniture is 
                 Every Fabric and Pattern made 
               
               
                   
                 configurable. For instance, an office 
                 inactive in the global catalog is 
               
               
                   
                 chair may be available with either loop 
                 immediately and automatically made 
               
               
                   
                 or t-style arms. Each unique 
                 inactive in the licensee&#39;s catalog. 
               
               
                   
                 configuration will be treated as a 
                 When global patterns and fabrics are 
               
               
                   
                 separate product. 
                 added to a licensee&#39;s catalog, they 
               
               
                   
                 Each furniture product has a single 
                 default to the “active” state. 
               
               
                   
                 image, up to four specification attributes, 
                 Materials imaged for a licensee are 
               
               
                   
                 and a memo field to hold a marketing 
                 associated with the material datarecord 
               
               
                   
                 description of the product. 
                 by identifier at upload. 
               
               
                   
                 Search furniture using up to three 
                 Licensee materials entered into the 
               
               
                   
                 attributes. 
                 global catalog do not appear in the 
               
               
                   
                 Furniture search results display small 
                 licensee&#39;s catalog until they are 
               
               
                   
                 thumbnail furniture images for quick 
                 explicitly added. 
               
               
                   
                 review 
                 Sample orders are routed to the 
               
               
                   
                 Click on furniture thumbnail image for 
                 sample order address referenced from 
               
               
                   
                 larger detail image and specification 
                 the licensee&#39;s profile. 
               
               
                   
                 information 
               
               
                   
                 Print or save any detailed furniture 
               
               
                   
                 image and specification in PDF format 
               
               
                   
                 Add furniture to a project file that can 
               
               
                   
                 be e-mailed to anyone for further 
               
               
                   
                 discussion, opinions, and approvals 
               
               
                 4 
                 Standard Fabric and Finish 
               
               
                 cont&#39;d 
                 Showroom Features: 
               
               
                   
                 Click fabric or finishes link from a 
               
               
                   
                 product entry in furniture catalog to 
               
               
                   
                 browse and search only the finishes 
               
               
                   
                 approved for use with the specific 
               
               
                   
                 furniture product 
               
               
                   
                 Search within approved finish set by 
               
               
                   
                 grade, color, or style 
               
               
                   
                 Search results display small thumbnail 
               
               
                   
                 images for quick review 
               
               
                   
                 Click on thumbnail image for large 
               
               
                   
                 detail image and specification 
               
               
                   
                 information 
               
               
                   
                 Print or save any detailed sample 
               
               
                   
                 image and specification in PDF format 
               
               
                   
                 Add fabrics and finishes along with 
               
               
                   
                 name of furniture product with which 
               
               
                   
                 they are associated to a project file that 
               
               
                   
                 can be e-mailed to anyone for further 
               
               
                   
                 discussion, opinions, and approvals 
               
               
                   
                 Make finish selections and add them to 
               
               
                   
                 a sample order 
               
               
                   
                 Easily place online sample orders. 
               
               
                   
                 Users may request samples be delivered 
               
               
                   
                 to their own address or directly to a 
               
               
                   
                 client 
               
               
                   
                 Private Label System Features: 
               
               
                   
                 Branded Fabric and Finish Sample 
               
               
                   
                 Room, including branded project files 
               
               
                   
                 and PDF information sheets 
               
               
                   
                 Include any finish material from any 
               
               
                   
                 source Kodak Verifi Web Accurate 
               
               
                   
                 Color System (www.verifi.net) 
               
               
                   
                 Sample order routing to Licensee or 
               
               
                   
                 directly to a fulfillment center 
               
               
                   
                 Licensee-defined product grading 
               
               
                   
                 All fabrics and finishes can follow 
               
               
                   
                 licensee-specific naming conventions 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The catalog overview function may include sample listings such as: all available samples within the global database, all samples from the global database that a licensee has included in its online catalog (by default name and/or licensee rename), and all licensee-specific samples within the licensee online catalog. 
     Administrative functionality for managing samples includes defining custom names, descriptions, pricing, etc. for the samples, editing the samples, adding new samples to the catalog, (including samples provided by licensees themselves), deleting samples, etc. 
       FIG. 4  is a block flow diagram illustrating a preferred methodology for implementing the present invention. In a computer server arrangement including at least one computer database, one or more surface material samples are selected and associated with a business entity as represented in block  400 . This selection step may be governed by a service level configuration and/or one or more automated business rules, as discussed in greater detail above. As represented in block  402 , custom label information is specified for at least one of the surface material samples. The custom label information may be default label information for the surface material sample(s), or be uniquely customized by the business entity as discussed above. 
     As represented in block  406 , a request for a surface material sample is received and processed at the computer server arrangement. The request includes an identifier to specify the business identity with whom the request for data is associated. As discussed in greater detail above, the request for data may include additional information such as supply chain layer information, product information, etc. 
     As represented in block  408 , an appropriate response is made to the data request. Typically, the response includes a graphical representation of the requested surface material sample and the custom label information associated with the sample—as may be specified by the business entity. Depending on the configuration of the data request and the business entity&#39;s service level configuration, responses to the data request may vary, as described in greater detail above. For example, responses to the data request may vary depending on the supply chain layer that the data request originated from. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.