Patent Publication Number: US-2003233266-A1

Title: System and method for executing mobile commerce

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for executing mobile commerce, and especially to a system and method for executing mobile commerce by using a mobile terminal. This invention relates to two other applications having the same inventor and the same assignee with the invention, of which one has a title of “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REVIEWING DATA IN A MOBILE TERMINAL” and the other has a title of “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING EXECUTING OF MIBLE COMMERCE”.  
       [0003] 2. Background of the Invention  
       [0004] Traditional communication means such as letters, telephones, and faxes are used in a typical conventional business model. In such model, many people waste time on data collection and information transfer. Human error leads to serious mistakes being made, which can cause huge damage to an enterprise. There are also other difficulties including providing adequate technical support, high costs, and low customer satisfaction when mistakes occur.  
       [0005] The development of the Internet has given rise to the electronic business model, which relies on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Electronic and digitized information is transferred faster and more accurately. The electronic business model breaks through conventional limitations of time and space, enhances the efficiency of running an enterprise, reduces costs, provides more information, and gives the enterprise more business opportunities. The electronic business model allows clients to easily acquire information on merchandise and on an enterprise, and to contact the enterprise instantaneously via the Internet. Further, data collection and integration is much easier.  
       [0006] US Patent publication No. 20010042020 discloses a method for increasing electronic business. An enterprise uses a computer to show its clients data on merchandise. The clients use computers to send purchase requests to the enterprise via the Internet. Finally, the enterprise and the clients reach settled sales agreements. However, in this method, there is no direct communication between the enterprise and each client. The clients cannot easily obtain more information about the enterprise and its merchandise, and the enterprise cannot easily obtain more information about clients and their requests.  
       [0007] Accordingly, a new business model is desired to make communication between enterprises and clients faster and more accurate, to strengthen technical support, and to yield more client satisfaction.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to provide a system for executing mobile commerce by using a mobile terminal.  
       [0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for conveniently executing mobile commerce.  
       [0010] In order to achieve the first above-mentioned objective, a system for executing mobile commerce in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a database server, a mobile commerce server, and at least one mobile terminal. The mobile terminal downloads business schedules created by the mobile commerce server, to assist execution of commercial activities. The mobile terminal comprises a business schedule storing module which stores the downloaded business schedule, and an executing data storing module which records data on execution of commercial activities in accordance with the business schedule. The mobile commerce server comprises an application processing module which creates business schedules in accordance with data stored in the database server, and which updates data stored in the database server in accordance with data sent from the mobile terminal.  
       [0011] In order to achieve the second above-mentioned objective, a method for executing mobile commerce in accordance with the present invention comprising the steps of: (a) creating business schedules in accordance with data stored in a database server; (b) transferring data including a business schedule to a mobile terminal; (c) assisting execution of commercial activities in accordance with the transferred business schedule; and (d) recording commercial activities executed in accordance with the transferred business schedule.  
       [0012] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which: 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for executing mobile commerce in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system comprising a database server, a mobile commerce server and at least one mobile terminal;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of detailed infrastructure of the database server of the system of FIG. 1, and shows data communication between the database server, the mobile commerce server and one mobile terminal;  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of function modules of one mobile terminal of the system of FIG. 1;  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of executing mobile commerce in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of details of one step of FIG. 4, namely assisting execution of commercial activities. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0018] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the present invention in detail.  
     [0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for executing mobile commerce in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A three-tier information system comprises a database server  101  (the bottom tier), an application server system  102  (the middle tier), and a plurality of distributed terminal workstations  109  (the top tier, only one shown). The application server system  102  of the present invention comprises a mobile commerce server  103 . Each terminal workstation  109  of the present invention is a mobile terminal  109 , which can be a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a pocket personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a smart phone or a notebook computer. A client information system  110  is connected with each mobile terminal  109  via a cable, infrared signals, or wireless communications. Each mobile terminal  109  connects with the mobile commerce server  103  via a cable, infrared signals, or wireless communications. The mobile commerce server  103  connects with the database server  101 , and is used for creating business schedules in accordance with data stored in the database server  101 . The mobile terminal  109  downloads a business schedule from the mobile commerce server  103 , for assisting execution of commercial activities. The mobile terminal  109  shows steps of required commercial activities in accordance with the business schedule, records data on execution of commercial activities, and uploads data on transactions and on execution of commercial activities for updating of data stored in the client information system  110 .  
     [0020] The mobile commerce server  103  comprises a connecting module  104 , an identity validating module  105 , an application processing module  106 , a data processing module  107 , and a client serving module  108 . The connecting module  104  connects with the mobile terminal  109 , and is used for transferring data between the mobile terminal  109  and the mobile commerce server  103 . The identity validating module  105  checks identities of personnel such as sales representatives, and distributes various business schedules to various sales representatives. The application processing module  106  creates business schedules for every sales representative in accordance with data stored in the database server  101 , and updates data stored in the database server  101  in accordance with data sent from the mobile terminal  109 . The data processing module  107  connects with the database server  101 , and transfers data between the database server  101  and the mobile commerce server  103 . The client serving module  108  connects with the client information system  110  via the Internet  111 . The client serving module  108  sends information on mobile commerce to clients, and receives data on cooperating with clients and data on requirements of clients.  
     [0021]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of detailed infrastructure of the database server  101 , and shows data communication between the database server  101 , the mobile commerce server  103  and one mobile terminal  109 . The database server  101  is a central database of an entire enterprise. The database server  101  comprises: a client database  201  for storing data on clients; a merchandise database  202  for storing data on merchandise sold by the enterprise; a transaction database  203  for storing transaction data on the enterprise; an employee database  204  for storing employee data including data on all sales representatives; and an information issuing database  205  for storing information issued by the enterprise. The application processing module  106  of the mobile commerce server  103  integrates data stored in the client database  201 , data stored in the merchandise database  202 , and data stored in the transaction database  203  to create transaction data  207  and market analysis data  206 . The transaction data  207  and the market analysis data  206  are stored in the mobile commerce server  103 . The transaction data  207  and data stored in the employee database  204  are processed by the application processing module  106  to create business schedules  208  for sales representatives. The business schedules  208  are stored in the mobile commerce server  103 . During the process of downloading data from the mobile commerce server  103 , the business schedules  208 , the market analysis data  206 , data stored in the client database  201 , and data stored in the information issuing database  205  are transferred to the mobile terminal  109  via the connecting module  104  of the mobile commerce server  103 .  
     [0022]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of function modules of one mobile terminal  109 . The mobile terminal  109  comprises: a business schedule storing module  301  which is used to record work flow and clients that a sales representative visits; a merchandise storing module  302  which is used to store all merchandise information on the enterprise as a reference for the sales representative to inquire of; an executing data storing module  303  which is used to record data on execution of commercial activities; an issued information storing module  304  which is used to store information on the enterprise&#39;s current news, merchandise shortage notes, and newly promoted products; and a bar code scanning module  311  which is used to scan and identify various clients&#39; bar codes which respectively represent various clients.  
     [0023] The business schedule storing module  301  comprises a client data storing module  305 , and a pending event storing module  306 . The client data storing module  305  stores commercial activities information on clients, including client basic data such as name, address and phone number, client ordering data, and accounts receivable. The pending event storing module  306  is used to remind the sales representative of matters that need to be attended to. For instance, such matters may be orders that need conducting, collection of accounts receivable, and market investigation. The merchandise storing module  302  comprises merchandise general data  307  and merchandise storage data  308 . The merchandise general data  307  includes basic merchandise data such as name, serial number and specification, merchandise price data and key merchandise data. The merchandise storage data  308  includes corresponding merchandise inventory volume and distribution information. The executing data storing module  303  stores transaction data  309  and investigation data  310 . The information in the executing data storing module  303  is sent to the mobile commerce server  103 , and is processed by the application processing module  106 . The information in the database server  101  is updated accordingly.  
     [0024]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of executing mobile commerce in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, in step S 402 , before a user enters the system, the mobile terminal  109  authorizes access for the user. In step S 403 , if the user cannot successfully enter the system, then the procedure returns to step S 402 . If the user successfully enters the system, then in step S 404 , the mobile terminal  109  inquires whether or not the user wants to upload and/or download data. If the user does not want to upload or download data, then the procedure proceeds directly to step S 408 . Otherwise, in step S 405 , the mobile terminal  109  downloads data including a business schedule from the mobile commerce server  103 , and/or uploads data on execution of commercial activities already completed to the executing data storing module  303  of the mobile commerce server  103 . These download and upload operations can be performed individually and separately. If the mobile terminal  109  only uploads data, then the procedure proceeds directly to step S 408 . If the mobile terminal  109  downloads data, then in step S 406 , when all the data has been downloaded, the mobile terminal  109  displays both data wanted by the user for executing commercial activities and the downloaded data. The user compares the wanted data with the downloaded data, and marks any outstanding wanted data. Then, in step S 407 , the business schedule storing module  301  determines whether the downloaded data are complete having regard to the user&#39;s mark, if any. If the downloaded data are not complete, then the procedure returns to step S 405 , and the outstanding wanted data are downloaded. If the downloaded data are complete, then the procedure proceeds to step S 408 . In step S 408 , the actual commercial activities are performed, and the executing data storing module  303  records corresponding operations during the process of execution of the commercial activities. When the commercial activities are finished, in step S 409  the business schedule storing module  301  determines whether all required visits to clients have been completed. If all required client visits have not been completed, then the procedure returns to step S 408  and the sales representative continues to visit other clients. If and when all required client visits have been completed, then in step S 410 , the executing data storing module  303  collects and analyzes all client visit information on the business schedule, and generates a consolidated report for the sales representative to review.  
     [0025]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of details of step S 408  of FIG. 4, namely assisting execution of commercial activities. Firstly, in step S 502  the mobile terminal  109  validates a client&#39;s identity, and displays corresponding client information. The client&#39;s identity can be validated by either scanning the client&#39;s bar code, or manually entering the client&#39;s name, code or other details. The client information includes basic information on the client.  
     [0026] In step S 503 , the mobile terminal  109  assists the user in inspecting the client&#39;s storefront premises. Matters examined may include verification of the enterprise&#39;s merchandise inventory, checking of the client&#39;s merchandise information, investigation of merchandise prices, investigation of fake products, and compiling of questionnaires. The executing data storing module  303  records the client visit and noteworthy matters arising from the visit. All this information is transferred to the mobile commerce server  103 , so that the next business schedule can be arranged. In step S 504 , the business schedule storing module  301  displays the client&#39;s accounts receivable information, and reminds the sales representative to collect any outstanding payments. The application processing module  106  of the mobile server  103  computes a new optimized storefront layout of merchandise, based on the enterprise&#39;s sales strategy, the client&#39;s current storefront layout, the client&#39;s previous storefront layouts, and previous storefront layouts by other clients. In step S 505 , the new optimized storefront layout is stored in the business schedule storing module  301 , and is shown on the mobile terminal  109 . The new optimized storefront layout is used to guide the client to adjust its storefront layout of merchandise at its storefront premises. In step S 506 , the business schedule storing module  301  shows the enterprise&#39;s scheduled commercial activities on the mobile terminal  109 . Such scheduled activities are used to assist the client to make its own sales strategy.  
     [0027] In step S 507 , the mobile terminal  109  assists the sales representative to enter into a sales agreement with the client. Firstly, the executing data storing module  303  automatically creates a sales order in accordance with verified merchandise inventory information and a merchandise sales record of the client. The sales representative modifies the order in light of consultations with the client. When a final order is created, the mobile terminal  109  displays a notice advising whether the total price of the order is within the client&#39;s credit allowance. If the client wants to return merchandise, the executing data storing module  303  records data on returned merchandise.  
     [0028] Finally, in step S 508  the executing data storing module  303  compiles information on the client, and generates a report on the client for the sales representative to check. All such information and the report are sent to the mobile commerce server  103 , and processed by the application processing module  106 . Subsequently, the processed information is transferred to the database server  101 , and the application processing module  106  updates all data stored in corresponding databases.  
     [0029] Although only preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications to the preferred embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are deemed to be covered by the following claims and allowable equivalents of the claims.