Patent Publication Number: US-7908176-B1

Title: Virtual catalog and product presentation method and apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/226,832, filed Sep. 14, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/406,477, filed Sep. 27, 1999, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/620,947, filed Mar. 22, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,471, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an electronic catalog apparatus and method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a virtual product catalog and product inventory control and presentation apparatus and method. 
     The present invention provides a virtual product catalog and product presentation apparatus to assist with merchandising of products. One problem is common to the merchandising of all products. This problem is the inability to determine which categories of a product line will sell well at a particular store location. The result is that a product that sells well at one location may have a poor sales record at another location, such as in another city or on an other side of town. Since inventory turnover is the key to profits in retailing, this inability to forecast customer requirements accurately reduces profits for retailers. 
     Two common methods have been applied to attempt to reduce this problem. One method is to build “superstores” in order to assure product availability by offering a very large selection. The superstore provides a larger base of products in order to give the illusion of providing one-stop shopping to customers. Superstores, however, do not optimize inventory. A second method is to tailor product availability to regular customers of a specific store and to move product in and out of stock rapidly at each location based on customer demands. Both methods have had some success. This second method, typically called vertical or niche merchandising, does a better job of managing inventory while supplying regular customers with the products they require. The second method, however, has the disadvantage of making each store layout unique and having product availability which is inconsistent between stores. 
     The present invention is designed to provide a solution to the product merchandising problem. Throughout this specification, the present invention will be described in connection with jewelry industry products. It is understood, however, that the apparatus and method of the present invention may be used with any type of products. Therefore, the examples of jewelry industry products are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     In the jewelry industry, purchasing decisions of customers are based largely upon visual appreciation of style and color. When a prospective customer enters a jewelry store, he or she approaches the showcase containing those pieces of specific interest, such as engagement rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, etc. The jeweler then brings a tray of items to the counter where one or more pieces of interest to the perspective customer are placed to the side for further study. The jeweler continues this process until a few pieces of particular interest have been gathered. At this point, the prospective customer&#39;s attention is focused on these few pieces and the jeweler can now bring closure to the sale. If the prospective customer does not find any of the in-stock items to be of interest, the jeweler can only suggest that the customer look at a competitors&#39; in-stock products offering or look through several catalogs for something that more closely meets with the customers requirements. 
     Apparatus and method of the present invention, the shortcomings of the standard merchandising are overcome by providing an electronic image of the various products available to the customer using a computer at the store location. Unlike the limitations of physical space and financing imposed on in-stock inventory, a video catalog can offer a substantially greater number of product selections. In addition, the apparatus of the present invention provides an efficient and secure method of demonstrating products to the customer. 
     Using the apparatus of the present invention, the customer is led to a particular product category via a hierarchical menu structure. Once the product category is selected, the customer browses through various available items. The customer then selects products of interest by using a menu icon and a computer mouse input device or by touching the icon on the screen if the system utilizes a touch screen monitor. An image of each selected product item and its associated data are then placed in a separate review box on the computer screen for further review. As additional items of interest are found, these items may also be placed in remaining boxes. The number of review boxes for reviewing products is typically based on monitor and graphics resolution capabilities. Illustratively, four such review boxes are used for reviewing selected products. It is understood that more or less image boxes can be used depending upon the application and the available display technology. 
     One feature of this invention is the ability to select individual product items as they are displayed in image boxes and to move the selected product items to a separate review screen. This permits the customer to browse through multiple categories of items and move selected product items to a separate review screen for later inspection and side-by-side comparison to other selected product items. Once a few selected items of interest are moved to the review screen, again arbitrarily limited to four items, these items can be compared side-by-side for a quick decision of which item the customer would like to purchase. If the selected item for purchase is not in stock, the apparatus of the present invention generates an order form for electronic or manual delivery to the product vendor. 
     The present invention enables the jeweler to minimize actual in-stock inventory to only those items required to provide the prospective customer the look and feel of the quality of similar merchandise. At the same time, the jeweler can offer a very large selection of products and can demonstrate these products to customers quickly and efficiently. The present invention therefore improves the efficiency of product presentation, improves sales productivity, and provides means for implementing just-in-time inventory for the retail merchandiser. 
     The present invention also provides the operator with the ability to overlay an image of a product on a desired background. In merchandising, special days are used to help generate interest in a particular product. When advertising products for these special days or seasons, a merchandiser typically generates a flyer having pictures of the merchandise on a background illustrating or representing the particular holiday. 
     The present invention provides the operator the capability of dynamically applying a desired background to a product image. For instance, a Christmas scene may be dynamically applied as the background to a piece of jewelry that the retailer wishes to offer as a Christmas special. A different background can be applied for every day of the year to selected pieces of merchandise. This allows the merchandiser to have a virtual catalog where both the product selection and the product presentation can change on demand. 
     Techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,490 may be used to integrate and maintain static or constant data and variable data. The present invention uses a “map” to define the exact way a product image, product information, and background image are integrated together to provide a visual product presentation on the computer located at the store location. In addition, all components of the presentation image can be managed and maintained by a central server located at the vendor&#39;s corporate location. This allows corporate marketing and advertising departments to control and manage product presentation efficiently at each sales location. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for presenting a plurality of product images for review by a user on a computer including a display, a memory, and an input device. The method includes the steps of displaying a plurality of product images on the display, providing product image review boxes on the display for a side-by-side comparison of selected product images, receiving a user input selecting a product image from the plurality of product images displayed on the display, and displaying the selected product image in one of the review boxes for a side-by-side comparison with at least one other selected product image. 
     In the illustrative method, the step of displaying a plurality of product images includes the step of displaying a scroll box on the display which includes the plurality of product images from the selected product category. The product images in the review boxes are typically larger than the product images in the scroll box. The selected product images are displayed in the next available review box until all the review boxes are filled with product images. The next selected product image replaces the product image in one of the review boxes. The user may select the review box in which to replace the product image after all the review boxes are filled with product images. 
     The illustrated method also includes the steps of receiving a user input to order a selected product displayed on the display, and automatically generating an order form for the selected product. The method further includes the step of automatically transmitting the order form for the selected product from the computer to a vendor&#39;s computer located at a remote location. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for presenting a plurality of product images for review by a user on a computer including a display, a memory, and an input device. The method includes the steps of displaying a menu including a plurality of available vendors on the display, receiving a user input selecting one of the vendors, displaying a product category menu on the display for products available from a selected vendor, receiving a user input selecting one of the product categories from the product category menu, and displaying a plurality of product images on the display from the selected product category. The method also includes the steps of providing at least two product image review boxes on the display for a side-by-side comparison of selected product images, receiving a user input selecting a product image from the plurality of product images displayed on the display, and displaying the selected product image in one of the display boxes for a side-by-side comparison with at least one other selected product image. 
     The product category menu is typically a hierarchical product category menu including at least two levels. In the illustrated method, the hierarchical product category menu includes three levels. 
     The illustrated method further includes the step of establishing a communication link between the computer and a vendor&#39;s computer located at a remote location after the desired product category is selected. The vendor&#39;s computer transmits variable data and updated constant data related to the plurality of products from the selected product category to the computer. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for displaying a product image for review by a user on a computer including a display, a memory, and an input device. The method includes the steps of storing a plurality of product images in the memory of the computer, storing a plurality of background images in the memory of the computer, and selecting one of the background images to be displayed on the display with each product image. The method also includes the steps of receiving a user input to display a selected product image, and integrating the selected product image with the selected background image on the display to provide a customized product image on the display. 
     In one embodiment of the illustrated method, the product image and the selected background image are integrated based on a map transmitted to the computer from a vendor&#39;s computer located at a remote location. The step of storing a plurality of product images in the memory of the computer illustratively includes the steps of photographing the products against a black background, converting the photographic product image into a digital product image data format, changing any black pixels in the digital product image data to cyan pixels, and storing the modified product image data in the computer memory. The integrating step includes the step of overlaying the modified product image data over a selected background image on the display so that the cyan pixels in the modified product image data permit the background image to be displayed on the display. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for presenting a plurality of product images for review by a user. The apparatus includes a computer including a display, a memory, and an input device. The apparatus also includes means for displaying a plurality of product images on the display, means for providing product image review boxes on the display for a side-by-side comparison of selected product images, means for receiving a user input selecting a product image from the plurality of product images displayed on the display, and means for displaying the selected product image in one of the review boxes for a side-by-side comparison with at least one other selected product image. 
     In the illustrated apparatus, the means for displaying a plurality of product images includes means for displaying a scroll box on the display which includes the plurality of product images from the selected product category. The product images in the review boxes are typically larger than the product images in the scroll box. The selected product images are displayed in the next available review box until all the review boxes are filled with product images. The next selected product image replaces the product image in one of the review boxes. In one embodiment, the user selects the review box in which to replace the product image after all the review boxes are filled with product images. 
     The illustrative apparatus further includes means for receiving a user input to order a selected product displayed on the display, and means for generating an order form for the selected product. The apparatus also includes means for transmitting the order form for the selected product from the computer to a vendor&#39;s computer located at a remote location. 
     According to a still further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for presenting a plurality of product images for review by a user. The apparatus includes a computer including a display, a memory, and an input device. The apparatus also includes means for displaying a menu including a plurality of available vendors on the display, means for receiving a user input selecting one of the vendors, means for displaying a product category menu on the display for products available from a selected vendor, means for receiving a user input selecting one of the product categories from the product category menu, and means for displaying a plurality of product images on the display from the selected product category. The apparatus further includes means for providing at least two product image review boxes on the display for a side-by-side comparison of selected product images, means for receiving a user input selecting a product image from the plurality of product images displayed on the display, and means for displaying the selected product image in one of the display boxes for a side-by-side comparison with at least one other selected product image. 
     One embodiment of the apparatus includes means for establishing a communication link between the computer and a vendor&#39;s computer located at a remote location after the desired product category is selected. The vendor&#39;s computer transmits variable data and updated constant data related to the plurality of products from the selected product category to the computer. 
     According to an additional aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for displaying a product image for review by a user. The apparatus includes a computer including a display, a memory, and an input device. The apparatus also includes means for storing a plurality of product images in the memory of the computer, means for storing a plurality of background images in the memory of the computer, means for selecting one of the background images to be displayed on the display with each product image, means for receiving a user input to display a selected product image, and means for integrating the selected product image with the selected background image on the display to provide a customized product image on the display. 
     In the illustrated apparatus, the product image and the selected background image are integrated by the integrating means based on a map transmitted to the computer from a vendor&#39;s computer located at a remote location. The integrating means includes means for overlaying the product image over a selected background image on the display. 
     Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatical view illustrating a connection between a computer at a sales location and to a vendor&#39;s computer in one embodiment of the electronic virtual catalog apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by the apparatus of the present invention after the software is accessed by the computer at the sales location; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart of the steps performed by the apparatus for modifying a configuration file; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of the steps performed by the apparatus to select a desired vendor from a menu of available vendors and then to display a hierarchical product menu for the selected vendor; 
         FIG. 5  is a sample screen display of a first level product menu, using jewelry as the illustrated product; 
         FIG. 6  is a sample screen display illustrating a second level of the product menu; 
         FIG. 7  is a sample screen display illustrating a third level of the product menu; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by the apparatus of the present invention for proceeding through the product menu screens; 
         FIG. 9  is a display screen generated on the computer at the sales location which includes an icon scroll box for reviewing images of products available in a selected category and four larger display boxes for displaying product items selected from the scroll box; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by the computer to scroll through the items in the selected product category and to display any selected items in the larger review boxes of the display screen; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by the computer if an operator selects one of the display boxes of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a sample screen displayed on the computer to order or review a selected item on the display screen; 
         FIG. 13  is a screen displayed on the computer for reviewing selected images and data related to products selected and moved to the review boxes; 
         FIG. 14  is an order pad screen displayed on the computer for ordering products; and 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by the computer during the ordering process. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an electronic catalog system  10  of the present invention. Operation of the electronic catalog system  10  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,490, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Catalog system  10  includes a vendor&#39;s computer or server  12  located at a vendor&#39;s place of business. The vendor&#39;s computer is coupled to a multi-port intelligent communications array  14  which is coupled to a modem  16 . The catalog system  10  also includes a computer  18  located at a remote sales location. Computer  18  is also coupled to a modem  20  which communicates with modem  16  at the vendor&#39;s location via telephone communication lines  22 . 
     Vendor&#39;s computer  12  includes a microprocessor  26 , an internal RAM  28 , a hard disk drive  30 , and a graphics monitor  31 . Computer  18  includes a microprocessor  32 , an internal RAM  34 , a hard disk drive  36 , and a graphics monitor  38 . Computer  18  is also coupled to a printer  24 . The computer  18  further includes a floppy disk drive  40  and a serial communications port  42 . Computer  18  also includes a user input device  43  such as a keyboard or mouse. A touch screen may also be used as an input device, if desired. 
     The computer  18  at the sales location is programmed with the software to provide a virtual catalog and product presentation apparatus for improved merchandising of the products to customers. While the illustrated embodiment of the present invention shows the computer  18  communicating with a vendor&#39;s server computer  12  at a remote location via modems  20  and  16 , respectively, it is understood that other communication techniques can be used. For instance, communication between computer  18  and vendor&#39;s computer  12  may be accomplished through the Internet. In addition, for some applications, data can be supplied to the sales location computer  18  by the vendor by periodically sending updated data disks which are loaded into the memory of computer  18 . 
     In operation, the software program of the present invention is accessed from an operating system of computer  18  illustrated at block  50  of  FIG. 2 . Illustratively, the software package of the present invention is accessible from a windows operating system. Once the windows icon for the program of the present invention is selected at the block  52 , computer  18  displays a logo of the ED-MIDS® Visual Order Entry SM  software system along with option buttons labeled “OK,” “Exit” and “Configure” as illustrated at block  54 . An operator can then select the appropriate button using a standard mouse input computer device. 
     Computer  18  determines whether the Exit button was selected at block  56 . If the Exit button was selected, the computer  18  returns to the operating system at block  50 . If the Exit button was not selected at block  56 , computer  18  proceeds to determine whether the configuration button was selected at block  58 . If the Configure button was selected, computer  18  proceeds to block  60  of  FIG. 3 . 
     These screen fields include server connection with options for either a modem connection via some type of telephone service or a network connection via a local or wide area network. A network setting allows a user to select the drive letter designating the network connection. Modem settings include a choice of Tone or Pulse, Baud Rate, Comm Port, the telephone number, and a modem initialization string. To exit, the setup screen offers either an O.K. or Cancel option. 
     Computer  18  then services mouse picks and keyboard entries for screen fields as illustrated at block  62  in  FIG. 3 . Computer  18  then determines whether the cancel button was selected or the escape key was pushed at block  64 . If so, computer  18  advances to block  66  in  FIG. 2 . If the cancel button or the escape key was not selected at block  64 , computer  18  determines whether the OK button was selected as illustrated at block  68 . If the OK button was not selected, computer  18  returns to block  62 . If the OK button was selected, the computer  18  writes the new configuration file into the memory of computer  18  as illustrated at block  70 . Computer  18  then returns to block  66  of  FIG. 2 . 
     If the Configure button was not selected at block  58  of  FIG. 2 , computer  18  determines whether the OK button was selected as illustrated at block  72 . If not, the computer  18  returns to block  56 . If the OK button was selected at block  72 , computer  18  displays a main menu of all available vendors as illustrated at block  74 . Computer  18  then advances to block  76  of  FIG. 4 . 
     After the vendor list is displayed on monitor  38 , computer  18  determines whether an exit button was selected at block  78 . If so, computer  18  returns to block  66  of  FIG. 2 . If the Exit button was not selected, computer  18  determines whether an icon for a particular listed vendor was selected at block  80 . If not, computer  18  returns to block  78 . If a vendor icon was selected at block  80 , computer  18  branches to an appropriate vendor menu as illustrated at block  82 . 
     A plurality of different vendors a through N illustrated by blocks  84  may be provided. In the illustrated example of the jewelry industry, for instance, separate vendors may be accessed for mountings, findings, diamonds, gem stones, finished goods, etc. Once a desired vendor is selected, computer  18  displays a hierarchical product menu for the selected vendor. In addition, computer  18  displays option buttons including “Order,” “Review” and “Exit” as illustrated at block  86 . 
     Examples of such a hierarchical product menu are illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a first level menu for the illustrative products of jewelry available from a finished goods vendor. From the first level menu displayed by customers computer  18  on monitor  38 , the operator can select the desired category of items. Once the category is selected, such as the “Bridal” category of  FIG. 5 , a second level menu is displayed as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . From within the second level menu an additional category of items may be selected. For instance “Bridal Sets” may be selected. A third level product menu is then displayed by customer computer  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Although the hierarchical menu product menu is not limited to three levels, selection criteria for most products selection criteria can be handled with three levels. Once the final level has been reached, computer  18  proceeds to block  88  of  FIG. 8 . 
     Computer  18  determines whether the Exit button was selected at block  90 . If so, computer  18  advances to block  82  of  FIG. 2 . If the Exit button was not selected at block  90 , computer  18  determines whether the Order button was selected as illustrated at block  94 . If so, computer  18  adds the item to an order pad as illustrated at block  96  and then advances to block  98  of  FIG. 15  as discussed in detail below. 
     If the Order button was not selected at block  94 , computer  18  determines whether the Review button was selected at block  100 . If the Review button was not selected, computer  18  determines whether a product category icon was selected at block  102 . The product category icon can be selected using a computer mouse input device from the third level menu illustrated in  FIG. 7 . If the product category icon was not selected at block  102 , computer  18  advances to block  90 . If the product category icon was selected at block  102 , computer  18  displays the product category icon scroll box and four separate display boxes for reviewing selected products as illustrated at block  104 . Computer  18  then advances to block  106  of  FIG. 10 . 
     After the product category is selected, computer  18  can automatically dial up the vendor&#39;s server  12  as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,490. Vendor&#39;s server  12  can then transmit any variable product data to the computer  18  located at the remote sales location along with any updated constant or static data. The variable data may be pricing or available quantities or other textual data, for example. Constant data stored may be product image data and background image data, for example. In addition, as discussed in detail below, the vendor&#39;s server  12  can transmit a map for integrating the images of the products with selected background images in order to improve presentation of the products to a customer. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a screen display on monitor  38  of computer  18  of the product category icon menu scroll box  108  for an illustrative “Fancy Channel-Set” product category selected from the menu of  FIG. 7 . The product icon menu scroll box  108  displays a plurality of images along with textual data such as the model number for the available items in the selected product category. The operator can scroll through the icon menu scroll box  108  using arrows  110  and  112 . The images  1 - 8  illustrated in  FIG. 12  are actual photographic images of the jewelry items available for sale from the vendor. The displayed images may be larger, if desired. As the operator at the sales location scrolls through the product images in scroll box  108  the customer can select items of interest from the scroll box  108 . Those selected items are moved to larger display boxes for review as also illustrated in the screen display of  FIG. 9 . In the illustrated embodiment, four such larger display boxes are provided. The larger images of the selected products are displayed in first, second, third, and fourth selected image display or review boxes  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120 , respectively. Below each of the images is an area for textual information related to the selected products at locations  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128 , respectively. 
     After  FIG. 9  is displayed on monitor  38  of computer  18 , computer  18  determines whether the Exit button of  FIG. 9  was selected as illustrated at block  130  of  FIG. 10 . If the Exit button was selected at block  130 , computer  18  advances to block  132  of  FIG. 4 . 
     If the Exit button was not selected at block  130 , computer  18  determines whether the scroll buttons  110  or  112  were selected at block  134 . If so, computer  18  scrolls through the icons of product menu scroll box  108  to display the plurality of images and textual data associated with the available product images as illustrated at block  136 . Computer  18  then returns to block  134 . 
     If the scroll buttons  110  and  112  were not selected at block  134 , computer  18  determines whether a particular display window  114 ,  116 ,  118 , or  120  was selected as illustrated at block  138 . If one of the larger display windows  114 ,  116 ,  118 , or  120  was selected at block  138 , computer  18  advances to block  140  of  FIG. 11  as discussed in detail below. If a display window is not selected at block  138 , computer  18  determines whether one of the product icons was selected from the scroll box  108  as illustrated at block  142  of  FIG. 10 . If not, computer  18  returns to block  130 . 
     If one of the product icons was selected from the icon scroll box  108  illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the image and associated data for the selected product is displayed in the next available display box  114 ,  116 ,  118 , or  120 . A selected background is displayed behind the product image as discussed below. After four such products have been selected, and the product images and data are displayed, the next product selection replaces the first selected image in box  114 . This is a continuous loop allowing user to always display four selected products simultaneously. Alternately, the customer may be given our option as to which of the review boxes  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  120  are replaced by the newly selected product. 
     By selecting one of the products in the icon scroll box  108 , computer  18  accesses a “map” data base and determines the image or images, the data, and the configuration for the particular image display as illustrated at block  144  of  FIG. 10 . The data within this “map” record points to the product images, any additional data, and the configuration or background image to use to integrate the images and data. In other words, the product images can be displayed on differently designed backgrounds as discussed in detail below. 
     Computer  18  retrieves the product images and data from the computer memory as illustrated at block  146 . Next, computer  18  displays the product images and data based on the map configuration in the next available display window  114 ,  116 ,  118 , or  120  as illustrated at block  148  (or a customer selected display window). 
     At any time, the operator can select one of the four display windows  114 ,  116 ,  118 , or  120  using the mouse input device. If computer  18  determines that a display window was selected at block  138  of  FIG. 10 , computer  18  advances to block  140  of  FIG. 11 . Selection of one of the display windows  114 ,  116 ,  118 , or  120  causes an order and review box to be displayed as illustrated at block  150  of  FIG. 11 . A sample screen display of the order and review box is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . For example, the quantity, type of metal, color, or other parameters related to the products may be displayed as illustrated in section  152 . Order and Review buttons are also provided. 
     Computer  18  determines whether the Review button was selected from the screen of  FIG. 12  as illustrated at block  154  of  FIG. 11 . If the Review button was selected, the product images and data are mapped to the next available display box  178 ,  180 ,  182 , or  184  of  FIG. 13  as illustrated at block  156 . Computer  18  then advances to block  158  of  FIG. 8 . 
     If the Review button was not selected at block  154 , computer  18  determines whether the Order button was selected from the screen of  FIG. 12  as illustrated at block  160  in  FIG. 11 . If the Order button was selected, computer  18  adds the item to the order pad as illustrated at block  162  and then advances to block  98  of  FIG. 15  as discussed below. 
     If the Order button was not selected at block  160 , computer  18  determines whether the Cancel button was selected as illustrated at block  164 . If not, computer  18  returns to block  154 . If the Cancel button was selected at block  164 , computer  18  advances to block  106  of  FIG. 10 . 
     Anytime the review button is selected, computer  18  displays the four selected image display boxes  178 ,  180 ,  182 , and  184  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . This permits a side-by-side comparison of the particular products in which the customer is interested. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 ,  FIG. 14  is a sample order pad display screen which computer  18  displays on monitor  38 . The order pad lists quantity and style number for the various products which are to be ordered. Steps performed by the computer  18  are illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Computer  18  determines whether a line on the order pad on  FIG. 14  was selected for modification or deletion as illustrated at block  166  of  FIG. 15 . If not, computer  18  determines whether the Cancel button was selected at block  168 . If the Cancel button was not selected, computer  18  returns to block  166 . If the Cancel button was selected at block  168 , computer  18  advances to block  132  of  FIG. 4 . 
     If a line on the order pad was selected for modification or deletion at block  166 , computer  18  displays fields for modification as illustrated at block  170 . Computer  18  determines whether a delete line entry was selected at block  172 . If so, computer  18  deletes the selected line from the order file as illustrated at block  174  and then returns to block  132  of  FIG. 4 . If a delete line was not selected at block  172 , computer  18  determines whether an OK button was selected as illustrated at block  176 . If not, computer  18  returns to block  170 . If the OK was selected at block  176 , computer  18  advances to block  132  of  FIG. 4 . 
     After particular items are selected for ordering, computer  18  can automatically transmit the order to the vendor&#39;s computer  12  through modem  20  as discussed above. In addition, computer can print out an order form on printer  24 . The printed order form is then sent to the vendor. 
     The mapping feature of the present invention provides computer  18  with the ability to overlay an image on a desired background. In the present invention, a transparent solid background is provided for the stored image file related to a product item which is then overlaid on the desired background. In accordance with the present invention, a cyan background is used as the transparent color. The product images are photographed against a flat black background. The images of the products can be on film and converted to digital format by scanning or directly to a digital format using a digital camera. Once in a digital format, the images are electronically scanned. All the black pixels in the image are changed to cyan and stored. When the image is placed on top of a selected background image, the background shows through in any locations where there is a cyan pixel. The image of the product which is made up of pixels having colors other than cyan, is visible in the foreground of the image. 
     In merchandising, special days are used to help generate interest in products. For instance, Father&#39;s Day, Mother&#39;s Day, Valentine&#39;s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. are all used for special product promotions. When advertising products for these special days, the merchandiser typically generates advertisements having themes associated with the particular event. The present invention provides the capability of dynamically applying a background to the image of a product to create an electronic virtual product catalog. Therefore, the background can be changed and dynamically applied to the product images, such as pieces of jewelry, that the retailer wishes to offer as a particular special. The mapping feature in which the product image data is mapped to a particular background scene can be accomplished entirely on the computer  18 . In addition, the data related to the image data and background data can be updated and mapped from a vendors computer  12  using the techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,490, which is incorporated herein by reference. Using the concept of a “map” to define the exact way a product image, product information, and a background image are integrated, a desired product presentation image can be generated. In addition, all components of the presentation image can be managed and maintained by a central server such as vendor&#39;s computer  12 . This allows the vendor&#39;s corporate marketing and advertising department to control and manage product presentation at each of its different sales locations efficiently. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a certain preferred embodiment, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the present invention as described and defined in the following claims.