Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20040059645?dq=actionscript
Timestamp: 2014-07-11 03:49:00
Document Index: 708035323

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 63', 'art 65', 'art 67', 'art 75', 'art 77', 'art 79']

Patent US20040059645 - Method and system for browsing a custom catalog via the internet - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA method and system for creating and ordering from a Custom Catalog via an Internet catalog website is disclosed. A customer who is interested in only certain products included in a company's Internet product catalog can create a Custom Catalog that includes information about only those products in which...http://www.google.com/patents/US20040059645?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20040059645 - Method and system for browsing a custom catalog via the internetAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20040059645 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/253,894Publication dateMar 25, 2004Filing dateSep 25, 2002Priority dateSep 25, 2002Also published asUS7472082, US8260686, US20070239564Publication number10253894, 253894, US 2004/0059645 A1, US 2004/059645 A1, US 20040059645 A1, US 20040059645A1, US 2004059645 A1, US 2004059645A1, US-A1-20040059645, US-A1-2004059645, US2004/0059645A1, US2004/059645A1, US20040059645 A1, US20040059645A1, US2004059645 A1, US2004059645A1InventorsJohn WirthOriginal AssigneeJohn WirthExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (13), Classifications (8), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod and system for browsing a custom catalog via the internetUS 20040059645 A1Abstract A method and system for creating and ordering from a Custom Catalog via an Internet catalog website is disclosed. A customer who is interested in only certain products included in a company's Internet product catalog can create a Custom Catalog that includes information about only those products in which the customer is interested. The customer provides certain identifying information, including the customer's e-mail address and a password that is linked to the e-mail address. Once the Custom Catalog is created, the customer can browse the company products displayed at the website and add them to his Custom Catalog. The purchaser can select products in the Custom Catalog and view detailed images of the selected products that include pricing and purchasing information for the products. The customer can also delete from his Custom Catalog those products no longer of interest. Images(23) Claims(22)
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0033]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for carrying out the present invention. Shown in FIG. 1 is a server computer system 10 connected to the Internet 11. Stored in the memory (not shown) of computer 10 is a web server program 12 and a plurality of files 14 relating to a Custom Catalog feature of a product catalog web page 13. Constituting the plurality of files 14 are a first series of files 15, which are e-mail addresses of customers using the product catalog, a second series of files 16 which are corresponding passwords of customers using the product catalog web page 13, a third series of files 17 which are password reminder phrases to assist customers in remembering their passwords, and a fourth series of files 18 which are various customers' Custom Catalogs. [0034] Also shown in FIG. 1 are several customer systems 19, each of which can be, for example, a television with Internet access, but which is preferably a personal computer with a modem 22 for connecting to the Internet 1 1. Stored in each computer 19's memory (not shown) is a web browser program 20 for requesting information from web servers, such as web server 12. The customer systems 19 are each typically operated by a customer desiring to browse, and perhaps order products from, a catalog web page. [0035] Although not specifically shown in FIG. 1, computers 10 and 19 would typically include central processing units (CPUs) and system buses that would couple various computer components to the CPUs. These system buses may be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The memory used by computers 10 and 19 would also typically include random access memory (RAM) and one or more hard disk drives that read from, and write to, (typically fixed) magnetic hard disks. A basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within a personal computer system, such as during start-up, may also be stored in read only memory (ROM). Computers 10 and 19 might also include other types of drives for accessing other computer-readable media, such as a removable �floppy� disks, or an optical disk, such as a CD ROM. The hard disk, floppy disk, and optical disk drives are typically connected to a system bus by a hard disk drive interface, a floppy disk drive interface, and an optical drive interface, respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data used by machines, such as computers 10 and 19. Computer 10 will also include a communications device (not shown) for connecting to Internet 11. Such communications device and modems 22 may be internal or external, and are typically connected to the computer's system bus via a serial port interface. Computers 10 and 19 may also include other typical peripheral devices, such as printers, displays and keyboards. Typically, computer 18 would include a display monitor (not shown) on which various catalog pages and other catalog information are displayed. [0036] FIGS. 2A-2E show a flow diagram of a method of creating and using the Custom Catalog of the present invention. The first step 30 is for a customer to log onto the catalog company's website. When a customer enters the catalog company's URL in his or her web browser 20, the customer is then presented with the web page 31 shown in FIG. 3. Web page 31 is only one example of a main web page that might be presented by a catalog company. The particular embodiment of web page 31 shown in FIG. 3 includes the catalog company's name and a number of hyperlinks 33 in the form of word phrases that allow a customer to access other features of the catalog company's website. These hyperlinks include a hyperlink 39 that allows a customer to access and use the Custom Catalog of the present invention. Also shown in FIG. 3 as part of web page 31 are a number of picture hyperlinks 35 and 37. Picture hyperlinks 35 allow a customer to browse products offered by the catalog company according to a category listing. Thus, for example, if a customer is interested in hand tools, he or she can click on the particular hyperlink relating to those types of products. [0037] The picture hyperlinks 37 allow a customer to access other types of products offered by the catalog company, such as specials, new products and close-out products. The types of hyperlinks shown by way of example in FIG. 3 are not intended to be exhaustive and can include other features of interest to customers that might potentially access the catalog company's website. [0038] Referring again to FIG. 2A, the next step 32 is for a customer to select the Custom Catalog option on main web page 31. This would be done by the customer clicking on the Custom Catalog hyperlink 39 shown in FIG. 3. The clicking of hyperlink 39 brings the customer to another web page 41 in the catalog company website shown in FIG. 4A through which a customer accesses his Custom Catalog. At step 34 of FIG. 2A, the customer indicates whether he has previously set up the Custom Catalog feature at the catalog company's website. Web page 41 displays to the customer three options. The first option 43 allows a customer to set up checkout/website settings that will allow the customer to use the Custom Catalog feature. The screen 61 shown in FIG. 5A for the setup is accessed by clicking on button 49 associated with the first option 43. [0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2B and 5A, if the customer at step 34 determines that he has not previously set up the Custom Catalog features, the customer enters the information required by the checkout settings part 63 of the web page 61 shown in FIG. 5A. At step 44 of FIG. 2B, the customer enters his e-mail address in the field 23 provided in page 61. This address is confirmed by the customer re-entering his e-mail address in the field 24 immediately under field 23. At step 46, the customer enters a password in the field 25 provided for this purpose. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the password is described as a minimum of 6 characters and a maximum of 30, although it is to be understood that alternative password schemes could be used. The password is then confirmed by the customer re-entering the password in field 26. Finally, the customer provides in field 27 a password reminder phrase to assist the customer in remembering his password, should he forget it in the future. [0040] At step 48 of FIG. 42B, the customer enters certain billing and shipping information in the fields provided in part 65 of the web page 61 of FIG. 5A. This information includes the customer's name and address. In the fields provided in part 67 of page 61, the customer enters his preferred method of shipment and telephone number. The information request at web page 61 also includes an indication in field 69 as to whether the customer wishes to receive by mail a paper catalog from the catalog company. The information is then confirmed by the customer clicking button 71, whereupon at step 50 web server 12 determines whether all the required information is complete. If it is not, the web server returns to step 44 to request the customer to enter the required information. If it is complete, at step 52, web server 12 displays the entered information, as shown on page 73 (FIG. 5B) of the catalog company's website. The confirmed information includes the e-mail address and the reminder phrase shown in the fields of part 75 of screen 73. The password is typically is not disclosed, although in a different arrangement, it could be. The customer's name and mailing address are also shown in the fields of part 77 of screen 73, while the customer's preferred shipping method and telephone number are shown in the fields of part 79 of screen 73. Also shown in field 81 of screen 73 is an indication of the customer's preference to receive by mail a paper catalog from the catalog company. At step 54 of FIG. 2B, the customer decides whether the displayed information is correct. If it is not, the sequence for creating the checkout settings returns to step 44 to allow the customer to correct whatever displayed information is erroneous. If it is correct, then at step 70 of FIG. 2D, web server 12 displays the customer's Custom Catalog page 83, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. It should be understood that additional information beyond that shown in FIG. 5B could be used in connection with the present invention. [0041] If the customer has previously set up his checkout/website settings, then at step 36 of FIG. 2A the customer decides whether he remembers his password for accessing his Custom Catalog. If he does, then at step 38 the customer enters his password and e-mail address. The second option 45 shown in FIG. 4A allows the customer to enter his e-mail address in field 51 and his associated password in field 53 so that he can access his Custom Catalog. After entering his e-mail address and password, the customer clicks the button 55 which initiates step 40 in FIG. 2A in which the web server 12 compares the customer's e-mail address and password with the e-mail addresses and passwords stored in files 15 and 16 resident in server computer 10. At step 42, web server 12 determines whether or not the e-mail address and password entered by the customer match any of those stored in files 15 and 16. If they do, at step 70, web server 12 displays the customer's Custom Catalog page. If at step 42, web server 12 determines that a match has not been found, then at step 56 of FIG. 26, web server 12 displays to the customer an incorrect login message 59, as shown in FIG. 4B. At this point, in step 58 of FIG. 2C, the customer decides whether to continue attempting to access his Custom Catalog. If he decides to not continue, he ends his attempt at step 60. If he does decide to continue, then the customer must decide at step 62 whether to confirm his password. If he does not, then at step 68 he can try re-entering his e-mail address in field 49 and his password in field 51 shown in FIG. 4B. When the customer again clicks button 53, the web server 12 again compares the entered e-mail address and password with the e-mail addresses and passwords stored in files 15 and 16 on computer 10. Here again, web server 12 at step 42 of FIG. 2A determines whether a match has been found. If it has not, then an incorrect login attempt message 59 is again displayed, as shown in FIG. 4B. [0042] If a customer is not able to recall his password, and he wishes to check the password, at step 64 of FIG. 2C the customer can request that he be sent a reminder for his password. The request is implemented by the customer entering in field 55 shown in FIG. 4B his e-mail address and clicking the button 57 for sending the request for the reminder. At that point, web server 12 retrieves from file 17 the password reminder corresponding to the e-mail address entered by the customer in field 55. Web server 12 then implements a transmission of the reminder to the e-mail address entered by the customer in field 55. At step 66, the customer checks his e-mail on his computer 19 for a message from web server 12 providing his password reminder phrase. The reminder is typically a word phrase that assists the user in recalling his password. The reminder can, of course, be something other than a word phrase, such as a combination of letters and numbers, that assist the customer to recall his password. Assuming that the customer does recall his password, at step 68 of FIG. 2C, the customer then enters the his e-mail address and password in the fields 49 and 51 of page 41 shown in FIG. 4B, and then clicks the button 53 to again initiate at step 40 of FIG. 2A a comparison by web server 12 of the entered e-mail address and password to the e-mail addresses and passwords stored in files 15 and 16 on server computer 10. If a match is found, the customer is transferred to web page 83 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B where the customer's Custom Catalog 85 is displayed. The customer's Custom Catalog 85 is created and then stored in file 18 of server computer 10. Thereafter, when a customer requests his Custom Catalog, it is retrieved from file 18. [0043] Referring now to FIG. 6A, when the customer's Custom Catalog 85 is first created, it typically will not include any selected products. Custom Catalog 85 does include a field 87 with the name of the customer and an indication that the display 85 is the customer's Custom Catalog. Catalog 85 also includes a number of fields relating to the products selected by the customer to be included in his Custom Catalog 85. There is a field 89 on which a customer can click to delete a product previously included in Custom Catalog 85. The fields also include a catalog number field 91, a description field 93 of products included in the Custom Catalog 85, price field 95 of included products, and a quantity field 97 of the product selected. [0044]FIG. 6B shows an update of Custom Catalog 85 that includes a number of products that have been selected by the customer. A further field 99 included in Custom Catalog 85 identifies the types of products listed in the Catalog. In the case of Catalog 85 shown in FIG. 6B, one field 120 of product types is identified as �wood specialties/toy parts�. Under this field is listed three different products 121. [0045] Custom Catalog 85 shown in FIG. 6B also includes a series of �Xs� 100 that are part of delete field 89. If a customer decides at step 72 of FIG. 2D to delete one or more products from his Custom Catalog 85, the customer at step 74 clicks on the Xs 100 associated with the products to be deleted. Conversely, if a customer is interested in purchasing a particular product included in Custom Catalog 85, he can enter the desired number of such product in field 101 and include it in his purchase checkout by clicking on the basket symbol 102 also included in Custom Catalog 85 for each product. [0046] At step 76 of FIG. 2D, the customer decides whether to exit his Custom Catalog, or at step 80 whether to add products to the Custom Catalog. If the customer decides to exit his Custom Catalog or not add products to his Custom Catalog, then at step 78 he ends his use of this feature. If at step 80 the customer decides to add products to his Custom Catalog 85, then at step 82 the customer requests product information. In the embodiment of Custom Catalog 85 shown in FIG. 6B, the customer has a number of options for requesting product information. These options are the hyperlinks 33 at the top of page 83 which include a hyperlink 98 for browsing print catalogs offered by the catalog company. The print catalogs are reproduced on the catalog company's website. When the customer clicks on hyperlink 98, he is presented with page 103 shown in FIG. 7. Included in page 103 is a field 104 for displaying the most recent catalog offered by the catalog company. Of course, a different catalog can be displayed in screen 104. Also shown in web page 103 are a series of picture hyperlinks 105 that identify and allow a customer to select other catalogs offered by the catalog company. If the customer wishes to change the catalog shown in field 104, he clicks on the picture hyperlink in field 105 corresponding to the catalog in which he is interested. Once the customer has selected a desired catalog and that catalog appears in field 104, the customer can then begin to view the pages of the catalog by clicking on the word phrase hyperlink 122 for selecting pages from the catalog. [0047] Referring now to FIG. 8A, another web page 106 of the catalog company's website displays a selected catalog page 109 for the catalog which can be changed by clicking on the button 107 for selecting a page from a drop down menu or by clicking on the �previous page� button 110 or the �next page� button 111 appearing in field 104. At step 84 of FIG. 2E, web server 12 presents page 109 of the selected catalog. Page 109 is a low resolution display of the page of the catalog. If a customer wishes to see further information regarding a particular product displayed on page 109, at step 86, he clicks on the pictured hyperlink 112 for the product. At step 88, web server 12, prepares a detailed presentation of the selected product. This presentation is created from files stored in computer 10. At step 90, web server 12 presents to the customer a detailed product presentation. This presentation corresponds to the customer being transferred to web page 113, which is a high resolution image of the selected product. The high resolution shown on web page or detailed description 113 includes a high resolution picture 114 of the product, a description 115 of the product, and a title 116 associated with the description of the product. Also included in web page 113 are a series of fields 117 that include a catalog number for the product, a brief description of the product, a brand name for the product, a model number for the product, an indication of the number of the products on hand at the catalog company, and pricing for the product. As noted above, a system and method for providing low resolution catalog pages and higher resolution descriptions of products displayed on the low resolution catalog pages is described in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/004,107, filed Dec. 6, 2001. [0048] The fields 117 also include, among other things, a field 102 for purchasing the product and a field 118 for adding the product to the customer's Custom Catalog 85. If at step 92 of FIG. 2E, the customer does not decide to add the product to his Custom Catalog 85, at step 94 he ends his use of the Custom Catalog feature. If the customer does decide to add the product to his Custom Catalog 85, he clicks on field 118, which results in a �checkmark� 119 being displayed in field 118, as shown in FIG. 8C. This product information is at step 96 stored in the customer's Custom Catalog file maintained in files 18 of server computer 10. [0049] Referring again to FIG. 6B, if a customer wishes to view detailed information about a product included in his Custom Catalog 85, he can click on the Catalog Number hyperlink 123, which will result in a detailed description such as description 113A shown in FIG. 9 being displayed. Detailed description 113A includes a high resolution picture 114A of the product, a description 115A of the product and a title 116A associated with the product description 115A. Description 113A includes the same fields 117 shown in description 113 of FIG. 8C. Included in these fields is field 118 with a checkmark 119 showing that the customer has included the product in his Custom Catalog 85. A description 122 of the product is listed in the customer's Custom Catalog 85 shown in FIG. 6B. Once the customer has added the product to his Custom Catalog 85, at step 76 shown in FIG. 2D, the customer decides whether to exit the Custom Catalog feature of the catalog company's website. If he does, he ends the feature at step 78. If he does not, at step 80 he decides whether to add additional products to his Custom Catalog 85. At this point, the method described above is repeated for additional products. [0050]FIGS. 10A and 10B show an alternative web page for a customer's Custom Catalog 85A. In the Custom Catalog 85A shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, there is only one type of product listed, but several different products listed. As noted above, if a customer is interested in purchasing a particular product included in his Custom Catalog 85A, he can enter the desired number of such product in field 101 and include it in his purchase checkout by clicking on the appropriate symbol for adding the product to his basket. In the embodiment of Custom Catalog 85A shown in FIG. 10A, rather than include the basket symbol 102 shown in FIG. 6B, there is provided an �ADD� button 126 that a customer can click to add a desired product to his checkout basket. Clicking on button 126 causes web server 12 to display web page 130 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The only difference between web page 130 in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B is the number 134 versus 134A of the product 131 displayed in page 130. Thus, if a customer desires to purchase the product 125 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, he would specify the quantity in field 101 and click on the add button 126. If no quantity is specified in field 101, as shown in FIG. 10B, the default quantity will be �1�, as shown in field 134 of FIG. 11A. At the price shown in field 133 for product 131 shown in FIG. 11A, there is a first extended price that is the same as the unit price as shown in field 135, resulting in a first order subtotal 136, also shown in FIG. 11A. If the customer chooses to increase the quantity to �2�, as shown in field 134A of FIG. 11B, a revised extended price will result in field 135A of FIG. 11B that is twice the unit price shown in field 133. This, in turn, will result in a revised order subtotal amount 136A. Thereafter, the customer can initiate a purchase of his selected products by clicking the checkout button 138 provided in page 130. Alternatively, the customer can continue browsing the catalog company's website by clicking button 137 for this purpose. [0051] The Custom Catalog feature of the present invention allows customers browsing a catalog company's website to identify and select products that the customer regularly buys or on which the customer needs to check on a frequent basis. The feature allows a customer to save time when checking on product pricing and availability. [0052] Although the present invention has been described in terms of a particular embodiment, it is not intended that the invention be limited to that embodiment. Modifications of the disclosed embodiment within the spirit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims that follow. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7707094 *Nov 2, 2000Apr 27, 2010W.W. 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