Abstract:
An intranet online dissemination system that facilitates real time automated communication of event information to a particular user&#39;s profile. The system comprises a communication medium including a host interface for creating, categorizing, and timing the event&#39;s information. A digital repository is provided for storing the event information. Additionally, a processing module is coupled to the repository and the host interface for queuing and disseminating the event information to a user interface. An information module is provided for identifying a user and a user&#39;s profile to the system at the user interface. The processing module selectively communicates the event information via the communication medium to the user based upon the user&#39;s profile.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to online information dissemination system, and more particularly, to a system for intranet online communication of, for example, sales events, product recalls, product promotions, customer policies, etc. 
     Currently in the marketplace, there typically involves an arrangement where an individual store comprises a single component in a multi-store retail chain. The individual store may be just one outlet, franchise, location, etc., representing one component of the multi-store chain. Due to the wide geographical distribution of the individual retail stores, it has been difficult to distribute time critical event information (e.g. a last minute sale for specific retail items at specific stores) in a timely fashion. Even though the event information may have been centrally available, its prompt distribution to the appropriate store personnel at the appropriate location has been extremely difficult. Conventional methods for distributing time critical event information has involved either distribution in hard copy (printing or faxing at last minute) or by word of mouth, either on the telephone or voice mail. As an example of one extreme situation, without advance notice of an event, the store personnel have to retrieve local newspapers or advertisement publications in order to ascertain what events are taking place in their respective store, (e.g. what items are on sale and at what price). When such communication is to be handled in writing, by telephone, or in person by a manager or supervisor, the time consumption and associated cost for such personal handling can present cost and servicing problems which need to be minimized. Any way that a retailer or franchiser can reduce personnel involvement in communicating, for example, sales events, product recalls, product promotions, and customer policies, is a way that can improve efficiency and service while at the same time reducing costs. 
     The present invention contemplates a new and improved event dissemination system and method for communicating changes in a retail sales environment whereby the appropriate store personnel receive the event information online at the appropriate location at the appropriate time. The present invention also includes the use of a communication network or communication medium. A communication network typically comprises a group of computers and associated devices that are connected by a communication facility, link, or medium. Network connections can be of a permanent nature, such as via cables, or can be of a temporary nature, such as connections made through telephone or other communication links. Networks vary in size from a point-to-point connection, to a wide area network, such as an internet network. The present invention contemplates the integration of an intranet, which involves a plurality of computers that are geographically dispersed and centrally controlled. As used in this application, the term “intranet” means a computer information system network which allows real time push of information through the system, whereby interfaces to the network are centrally controlled. The intranet network, or communication network, allows the computers connected on the network to communicate with each other while at the same time restricting access from outside of the network. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a system and method for disseminating time critical event information via a common communication medium. The system comprises a host interface for creating, categorizing, and timing the event information. A digital repository is used for storing the event information. A processing module is coupled to the repository and the host interface for queuing and disseminating the event information to a user interface. An information module is used for identifying a user and a user&#39;s profile to the system at a particular interface. The processing module selectively communicates the event information via the communication medium to the user based upon a user&#39;s profile. 
     The present invention involves a method of disseminating the time critical event information which comprises the steps of: creating and timing the event information in a digital repository, a first categorizing of the event information based upon a store identification, selectively submitting, through a communication medium, the event information from the repository to a plurality of user interfaces, selectively communicating, in real time through the communication medium, the event information from the repository to a plurality of user interfaces, whereby the event information is selectively disseminated. 
     In accordance with more limited aspects of the invention, the event information is communicated to a subset of user interfaces. 
     Other benefits and advantages of the subject invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and steps and arrangements of parts and steps, the preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram identifying the principle processing components and interfaces of the subject invention; 
         FIG. 2A–2C  is a flow diagram of the steps for disseminating event information; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a sales event; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an example of screen of relational tables showing information included in an event. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the subject invention is related to a dissemination system  10  for distributing time critical event information especially applicable to a retail or franchise industry, whereby a communication medium  12  or an intranet online accessing system is used for networking and communicating time critical event information. The present invention contemplates the coordination of a learning management system (LMS)  14  and a digital repository  16  in the retail environment. The LMS  14  comprises an electronic or e-learning system including a processing module  22  and an information module  24 . The result is a system  10  and method that extends the functionality of the repository  16  and the LMS  14  to distribute just-in-time (JIT) event information. Although discussed with primary references to the retail industry, the invention is applicable to any other type of industry or any other group that is subject to event information. The system  10  displays the event information to a user, for example, via a graphical user interface (GUI)  18 , and disseminates the information based upon the instructions from an administrator or host. The subject invention uniquely provides online viewing and updating of the event information and facilitates real time dissemination of the specific events. 
     The subject system  10  includes integration of several components, namely, an administrator or host interface  20 , the processing module  22 , the digital repository  16 , the information module  24 , the user interface  18 , and the communication medium  12 . 
     The present invention comprises a software based approach which contemplates an extension to the learning management system  14 , whereby, for example, all corporate-wide events can be propagated to all or specific groups of employees, either automatically at log-in or on demand. In one embodiment of the present invention, the specific groups are organized by store identification  19 , work department  21 , or job title  23 . The JIT event information approach provides for dissemination of information regarding specific events, for example, sales, recalls, customer policies, product promotions, etc. The JIT event information is initially captured at a central location in the digital repository  16  and disseminated via the processing module  22  according to programmed instructions. The approach integrates the event information with the LMS  14 , enabling users to query and download the event information on demand, or the system  10  can automatically distribute the information to a specific group based upon, for example, a person&#39;s store identification  19 , work department  21 , and/or job title  23 . The downloading of information may be automatic as a response to a person&#39;s log-on into the LMS  14  or may be downloaded on demand. This approach provides for the appropriate event or critical information to be distributed to the appropriate personnel at the appropriate time. The LMS  14  maintains confidentiality of the information and may provide restricted access, through the information module  24 , based on a user&#39;s profile. 
       FIGS. 2A–2C  represent a flow diagram illustrating the information dissemination process through the subject system  10 . An administrator or host  30  can access the system  10  via an interface in order to log into  32  the LMS  14 . The system  10  may query if the administrator has registered a personal security code, and after the appropriate code is entered, the administrator can enter the system (not shown). The step of inquiring and requiring a personal security code is used for maintaining the confidentiality of the system and for allowing access only to authorized individuals. The administrator  30  is the individual that has the authority to create event or event information  34  and push this information through the dissemination system  10  via the communication medium  12 . 
     The administrator  30  will create the event information  34  comprising the parameters discussed hereinafter. Initially, the administrator  30  will determine  42 ,  43  whether the event information  34  needs to be disseminated (categorized)  35  at the level of store  50  or department  70 . Alternatively, the administrator  30  will determine that the information  34  needs to be disseminated  44 ,  60 ,  80  to all levels  50 ,  70 ,  90  (or any combination thereof). If the event information  34  is disseminated to the store  50  via a store identification  19 , the information is reviewed  54  by the store manager  51  and, using his/her discretion  56 , may or may not  58  be further disseminated  60  to the work departments  70  and sales associates  90 . Alternatively, the store manager  51  may elect to modify  58  the event information  34  prior to dissemination  60 . Whether or not information is disseminated from the store managers  51  to the other groups may be the result of the specific store&#39;s  50  relationship with, for example, the retail chain&#39;s corporate headquarters. Specifically, an individual store  50 , or retail outlet, may be independently owned and the store manager  51  may have discretion  56  on whether or not to participate  58  (or modify) in a particular event  34 . If the store manager  51  has discretion  56  on whether or not to participate, the event  34  must be sent only to the store manager  51 , whereby it is reviewed  54  and participation determined  58 . 
     An event  34  typically includes several parameters as part of the event creation. The parameters listed below are illustrative of the event creation  34  and are not to be read as limiting parameters. Event parameters for a sale may include store identification, title, sale type, description, URL address, department identification, original item price, event price, and file number (see  FIG. 4 ). Specific time event information  36  such as start date/time, stop date/time, frequency, duration, cycle period, etc., are entered at time of creation and are used by the processing module  22  and stored  38  in the event information digital repository  16 . Once the event information  34  is stored  38  in the repository  16 , the processing module  22  will queue  40  the event information  34  based on its category (group)  35  and timing  36 . At the designated time, the processing module  22  will disseminate (push) the event information  34  to the designated group. If the store manager  51  needs to review  54  the event information  34 , the information is disseminated by store identification  19 . The store manager  51  logs into the LMS  14  through an interface  52 . The store manager  51  may need to provide an appropriate personal security code, not shown, in order to access the system  14 . Upon review  54  of the event information  34 , the store manager  51  may or may not  58  further disseminate  60  the event information  34  to a work department  70 . If disseminated in this manner, the event information  34  is considered to be moving downstream from the administrator  30  to the work department  70 . The event information  34  at the work department  70  grouping is typically categorized based on type of merchandise in the respective work departments  70 . At the department level, the department manager  71  logs into the LMS  14  via an interface  72  and reviews  74  the event information  34 . Upon review  74  of the event information, the department manager  71  further disseminates  80  the event information downstream to the sales associates  90 . If the department manager  71  has discretion  76  on whether or not to participate in an event, then participation must be determined  78 . Alternatively, the department manager  71  may elect to modify  78  the event information  34  prior to dissemination  80 . 
     At the sales associate level, the sales associate  90  logs into the system via an interface  92  and reviews  94  the event information pertinent to his/her job. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 2A–2C , the event information  34  may be moved downstream from the administrator  30  to the sales associates  90  without the intervening review of a store manager  51  and/or department manager  71 . 
     One example of the aforementioned system contemplates the integration of the DocuShare™ digital repository. DocuShare™ is a registered trademark of The Xerox Corporation, New York, dealing with computer software for document management. DocuShare™ is an intranet-based document management system. It enables approved users, regardless of location, to dynamically store, access, and share content via a communication medium and desktop applications. It works easily with all types of documents, including text, graphics, and video. Docushare™ provides a secure repository for individual, group, or corporate (enterprise) information. All content is shielded from unauthorized users through appropriate security means. DocuShare™ allows information to move from an individual to a work group and/or to an enterprise in an upstream or downstream manner. In other words, the information is scalable from an individual to an enterprise. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , for illustrative purposes, an example  100  of the aforementioned system, in conjunction with the DocuShare™ information repository, is displayed showing the flow of information for a series of events  103 . The first step  102  involves the administrator developing the sales events  102  and storing them in DocuShare™. As displayed, the specific sales events  104  are categorized by store identification  106  and department  108 . Additionally, as shown, a start date  110  and end date  112  are attached to each event. Although not shown, additional details of the event are incorporated at the time the sales events are developed ( FIG. 4 ) and communicated accordingly. The processing module pushes the information from the Docushare™ repository to each specific store location  120 ,  122 . The store manager selects events for his/her particular store, and reviews. Subsequent to this review, the store manager, through the processing module, further pushes the event information to the respective work departments  130 ,  132 . The next step involves a sales associate  140 ,  142  logging into the system and referencing the particular sales events related to their respective department. It will be appreciated that in this example, the information is disseminated from the store manager to the sales associates without review or intervention from a department manager. 
       FIG. 4  shows an illustrative event screen with relational tables, in which the details of several events are set forth. As illustrated, when an event and its associated meta data, URL address, is added or updated in the repository, the system through the use of DocuShare™, updates the purpose-built relational tables in the LMS database. The system utilizes the user profile in the LMS to automatically query these purpose-built LMS tables to display the events pertinent to the user when the user logs on or on demand. 
     While particular embodiments have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed, and as they may be amended, are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.