Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BP File No. 8333-002
Title: ELECTRONIC ~ATAT.OG
FIELD OF THE lNV~~ ON
The present invention relates to catalogs in
general and electronic catalogs in particular. More
particularly, the invention relates to electronic catalogs
utilizing multimedia to present text, video and audio data
related to an item selected for review or purchase by a
purchaser.
Locating goods and services can be tedious and
time consuming. For example, to locate a specific item,
a purchaser might have to visit several stores, examine
several samples of the desired item from different
manufactures, and then compare prices.
In order to alleviate a portion of that effort,
vendors have used catalogs to compile information about
the goods or services they sell. Typically, such catalogs
contain stock numbers and size and price information, as
well as directions for placing an order. By keeping the
catalogs in the home or office, the purchaser can examine
the catalogs without actually going to the store. In many
instances, shoppers can purchase the goods or services by
placing a mail or telephone order, thereby obviating the
need for a trip to the store and saving the purchaser time
and effort.
With the advent of computers and their ability
to rapidly manipulate large amounts of data, catalogs
entered the electronic arena. See, for example, U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,119,188 and 5,191,410 to McCalley, et al.
McCalley's electronic catalog provides an audio-video
presentation system that includes a central computer, a
central repository for video and audio data related to
items for sale, and communications links with a purchaser
via cable TV and telephone. The purchaser calls a
specified telephone number, and, in response to that
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telephone call, the system transmits an image to the
purchaser's TV. The purchaser then enters specified
keystrokes on the telephone keypad in order to navigate
through the catalog, and the system responds to those
keystrokes by transmitting images or other information to
the purchaser's TV. Once the purchaser has found the item
to be purchased, he can enter certain keystrokes to
generate a purchase order at the central repository.
While McCalley's system makes it possible for an
individual shopper to get information in the privacy of
his or her own home, the system has some drawbacks and
lacks certain desirable features. For example, since the
system is set up for transmission over cable TV, the
purchaser must receive cable TV. Moreover, the system
requires that the purchaser stay on the phone during the
time required to navigate through the catalog to find the
desired items. If the call is a long distance or other
type of toll call~ the telephone charges can quickly mount
up. Thus, the purchaser pays for the time spent browsing
through the catalog which ultimately, along with the cable
TV charges, adds to the effective price for any item
selected. In fact, the purchaser still has to pay the
telephone and cable TV charges, even if nothing is
purchased. In addition, McCalley's system has certain
built-in delays which reduce the effectiveness of the
interactivity of the presentation system. For example,
there is a finite amount of time required for the signals
to travel between the purchaser's home and the central
computer, an additional delay while the system expands and
reformats the video data into a format compatible with
television transmission, and still another delay while the
system routes the data to a transmission site and
transmits the data.
Another shortcoming of the McCalley system is
that the system does not have the capability of tailoring
the pricing structure for items based on a
vendor/purchaser relationship or agreement. Tailoring the
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pricing structure for each individual purchaser allows the
vendor to build and improve business relationships with
his customers. The customers, on the other hand, can be
assured that they are receiving the best possible price
for items in the catalog.
There are additional drawbacks to the McCalley
system. For example, the system does not provide the
purchaser with means to retain any historical data as to
prior purchases or to keep records of frequently ordered
items. Furthermore, since most businesses and offices
don't have cable TV installed, the McCalley system is
relatively useless in a commercial environment.
Thus, a need exists for an electronic catalog
having commercial as well as private applicability that
allows a vendor to tailor the prices charged to each
purchaser for each item while maintaining historical data
as to prior purchases and keeping records of frequently
ordered items. The electronic catalog should provide an
intuitive user interface to facilitate communication
between the purchaser and the computer, and should
eliminate McCalley's built-in time delays. Additional
capabilities, such as provision for a purchaser generated
list of items for future reference or a compare feature
that lists all products similar to the one being viewed,
which would allow a quick comparison of price and
description, would be welcome by purchasers. Another
useful capability would be the ability to generate a
purchase order for all selected items showing what was
being purchased, along with individual item cost, total
cost, and discount, if any, so as to permit the purchaser
to add or delete items from the list and remain within
budget. No known conventional electronic catalog includes
all of these additional capabilities, which would be
welcome by vendors and purchasers alike.
STJMMARY OF THE lNV~l.llON
According to the present invention, a computer
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system, in response to user inputs, retrieves and presents
to a user, text, video and audio data related to items in
an electronic catalog. The system comprises a plurality
of features. Each of the plurality of features includes
graphical interface means for facilitating communication
between the user and the computer software system for
investigation, consideration and ordering of items in the
electronic catalog.
The plurality of features includes a contract
price feature for listing specially priced items, a
shopping cart feature for listing items selected for
purchase by the user along with desired quantities of the
selected items and the price for the desired quantities of
the selected items, and a custom list feature for listing
items of special interest to the user. The plurality of
features further includes a purchase order feature for
generating a purchase order contAining the desired
quantities of the selected items and a communications
feature for transmitting the purchase order to a remote
location by fax or modem.
Additionally, the plurality of features includes
a compare feature for comparing the selected item with
similar items contained in the catalog. Another feature
includes means for maintaining historical data related to
prior purchases.
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 a preferred embodiment exemplifying the
best mode of carrying out the invention as presently
perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a
data processing system configured for use with the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a flow chart of the initial startup of
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a computer program according to the present invention, the
initial startup terminating in the display of a main menu;
Fig. 3 is an illustrative main menu including
icons for accessing various features of the computer
program;
Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the "Company Logo" icon is selected from the main menu;
Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the "Introduction" icon is selected from the main menu;
Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the "Contract Price" icon is selected from the main
menu;
Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the "Contract Items" icon is selected from the main
menu;
Fig. 8 is an illustrative contract price items
screen displayed in response to selection of the "Contract
Price" icon from the main menu;
Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the "Quick Pick" icon in the main menu is selected;
Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the continuation
of the program flow of Fig. 9 and continuing from the
"Program Search Criteria Screen" block of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is an illustrative quick pick index
screen displayed in response to selection of the "Quick
Pick" icon from the main menu;
Fig. 12 is an illustrative search by SKU screen
displayed in response to selection of the "Find By SKU"
icon in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is an illustrative search result screen
displayed in response to selection of the "Start Search"
icon in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is an illustrative screen displayed in
response to selection of the icon in Fig. 14;
Fig. 15 is an illustrative quick pick sub-index
screen displayed in response to selection of one of the
icons (illustratively Filing) in Fig. 11;
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Fig. 16 is an illustrative search result screen
displayed in response to selection of the "Start Search"
icon in Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the "Purchase Order" icon is selected from the main
menu;
Fig. 18 is a flow chart showing the continuation
of the program flow of Fig. 17 and continuing from the
"Saved Purchase Order Screen" block of Fig. 17;
Fig. 19 is an illustrative purchase order screen
displayed in response to selection of the "Purchase Order'
icon from the main menu;
Fig. 20 is an illustrative saved purchase order
screen displayed in response to selection of the "Saved
PO" icon in Fig. lg;
Fig. 21 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the "Custom List" icon is selected from the main menu;
Fig. 22 is an illustrative custom list screen
displayed in response to selection of the "Custom List"
icon from the main menu;
Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the IlInfosearch'' icon is selected from the main menu;
Fig. 24 is an illustrative infosearch index
screen displayed in response to selection of the
"Infosearch" icon from the main menu;
Fig. 25 is an illustrative infosearch index
screen with a dialog box displayed in response to
selection of the "Describe" icon in Fig. 24;
Fig. 26 is a flow chart showing the continuation
of the program flow of Fig. 23 and continuing from the
"Infosearch Sub-Category Index Screen" block of Fig. 23;
Fig. 27 is an illustrative infosearch
sub-category index screen displayed in response to
selection of one of the icons displayed in Fig. 24;
Fig. 28 is a flow chart showing the continuation
of the program flow of Fig. 26 and continuing from the
"Auto Switch" block of Fig. 26;
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Fig. 29 is an illustrative infosearch
intermediate screen displayed in response to selection of
the bottom (downwardly pointing arrow) of one of the icons
displayed in Fig. 27 when the Auto Switch determines that
supplemental information is available for the selected
item;
Fig. 30 is an illustrative set criteria search
screen displayed in response to selection of the bottom
tdownwardly pointing arrow) of one of the icons displayed
in the Intermediate Screen (Fig. 29);
Fig. 31 is a flow chart showing a portion of the
continuation of the program flows of Figs. 26 and 28 and
continuing from each of the plurality of "Product Screen"
~ blocks in Figs. 26 and 28;
Fig. 32 is a flow chart showing a portion of the
continuation of the program flows of Figs. 26 and 28 and
continuing from each of the plurality of "Product Screen"
blocks in Figs. 26 and 28;
Fig. 33 is an illustrative product screen
displayed when the top (upwardly pointing arrow) of one of
the icons displayed in Fig. 27 is selected, when the
bottom (downwardly pointing arrow) of one of the icons
displayed in Fig. 27 is selected and the Auto Switch
determines that no supplemental information is available
for the selected item, when the top of the intermediate
screen icon in Fig. 29 is selected, or when the "Begin
Search" icon is selected from Fig. 30;
Fig. 34 is an illustrative information screen
displayed in response to selection of the "Describe
Product" icon in Fig. 33;
Fig. 35 is a flow chart showing a review to
purchase aspect of infosearch feature;
Fig. 36-37 are illustrative screens displayed
during the review to purchase aspect;
Fig. 37-39 are illustrative information screens
displayed when still photos and video clips, respectively,
are available for a product;
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Fig. 40 is an illustrative related products
screen displayed in response to selection of the "Related
Products" icon in Fig. 33;
Fig. 41 is a flow chart showing the program flow
if the "Added Services" icon is selected from the main
menu;
Fig. 42 is an illustrative service index screen
displayed the "Added Services" icon is selected from the
main menu;
Fig. 43 is a flow chart showing the process for
installing the electronic catalog; and
Figs. 44a-44c are flow charts showing the
process by which a vendor enters prices and customer data
while creating a customer install file.
DE~ATT-~n DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An illustrative computer system 10 adaptable for
use with the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. The
illustrative computer system 10 includes computer 12
including a program and data input 12a, display 14,
keyboard 16, data presentation device 18, printer 20,
fax-modem 22, speakers 24, pointing device 26, a program
storage device 27 and a multimedia storage device 28. The
computer 12 can be electronically connected to the devices
14-28.
Preferably, computer 12 is an IBM compatible
machine running an AT 386 or higher class CPU and includes
a hard drive with at least 20MB of free space, at least
8MB RAM, and a 3.5 inch 1.44MB floppy drive 12a capable of
coacting with program storage device 27, which can be a
coded floppy disc. It will be appreciated that the
invention can be adapted for operation on other machines,
such as the Macintosh computer, and the preference for
the IBM machine is not a limitation on the scope of the
invention.
Printer 20 can be any commercially available
A printer. The printer is used to print purchase orders
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locally. Fax-modem 22 can also be any commercially
available fax, modem or fax-modem, and is used to transmit
the purchase orders to a remote location, such as the
vendor's site.
Data presentation device 18 is preferably a
CD-ROM drive having at least double speed capability and
multimedia storage device 28 is preferably a CD-ROM. It
will be appreciated that multimedia storage device 28 can
be any means capable of storing large quantities of text,
video and audio data while providing rapid access to that
data, and is not limited to CD-ROM technology.
At least one speaker is required if playback of
audio data is required or desired. The speaker can
include an internal speaker built into the computer or one
or more external speakers 24 connected to the computer 12.
Pointing device 26 provides input means for
providing purchaser selections to computer 12 and
preferably includes a commercially available mouse.
However, it will be appreciated that any pointing device,
such as a track ball, light pen, or touch-sensitive
screen, can be used without departing from the scope of
the invention. Any commercially available keyboard 16 can
be used as an alternative, or additional, input means.
Display 14 can be any commercially available
display, but is preferably a SVGA color monitor. Of
course, any one of a number of commercially available
video cards can be used in conjunction with the computer
12 and display 14.
The computer program of the present invention
encompasses an electronic catalog that facilitates
purchasing decisions by displaying text, video, and audio
data associated with items to be sold by a vendor. In the
system, a program of graphical interfaces, corresponding
coded instructions for communication with and operation of
the elements of the computer system and its input and
output devices 12-28, including particularly the graphical
interfaces and instructions for accessing and presenting,
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visually and aurally, pictorial and alphanumeric
information, is carried by program storage device 27. The
program is stored in the computer system through the
program and data input 12a. An electronic catalog of
alphanumeric, pictorial and sound information is provided
to the data presentation device 18 by the multimedia
storage device 28 and, as set forth more fully below, is
accessed by a user of the computer system through response
to graphical interfaces provided by the program and the
computer system to "shop" in the electronic catalog, to
make buying decisions therefrom and to buy items based on
the alphanumeric, pictorial and sound information stored
on and presented from the multimedia storage device 28.
The invention also includes an install routine
that allows the vendor to individually tailor the price
charged to each user for all, or selected, items in the
catalog.
The computer program utilizes a series of
graphical user interfaces (GUI) to provide an intuitive
means for a user to communicate with the computer. The
operator uses, in a known manner, a pointing device, such
as a mouse or light pen, to position a symbol, such as an
arrow, on an icon on the screen. "Clicking" on the icon,
that is, pressing one of the buttons on the mouse or other
pointing device, causes the computer program to perform a
task associated with the icon. For example, an icon
graphically depicting a printer or showing the word
"Printl' can be used in lieu of the DOS "print" command.
When a user wishes to print a document, he positions the
arrow on the "print" icon with the mouse and ~'clicks" one
of the buttons on the mouse. The computer responds to the
click on the icon and, after verifying certain print
related information, prints the document. It will be
understood that the "icons" referred to herein include
graphical icons as well as icons containing one or more
words to indicate the function of the icon. Thus, there
is no need for the user to remember the DOS command and
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associated syntax needed to invoke the task. Of course,
the user can also communicate with the computer by using
the keyboard 16 in a conventional fashion.
The text, video and audio data associated with
the present invention is stored on one or more CDs. The
program of G~Is is typically installed on the hard drive
of the computer 12. In order to access the data, a user
loads one of the CDs into the data storage device 18 and
calls up the program in a known manner by entering an
appropriate DOS command as part of the initial startup
routine, as indicated at 30 in Fig. 2.
Following the initial startup 30, the computer
program (hereinafter "program") displays a main menu
screen 34, illustratively shown in Fig. 3. The main menu
screen 34 includes a plurality of icons for various
features, such as, for example, Company Logo 38,
Introduction 40, Map 42, Contract Items 44, Quick Pick 46,
Purchase Order 48, Custom List 50, Infosearch 52, and
Added Services 54. At this point, the user can either
exit to DOS 36, and thereby leave the program, or click on
one of the icons displayed on the main menu screen 34.
Generally speaking, clicking on a icon leads to
a follow-up screen which prompts the user to provide more
information or make a choice, or displays selected
25- information, such as an index or a line listing of
selected items in the catalog. Entering the desired
information and/or clicking on an icon provided on the
follow-up screen will then direct the computer to perform
an additional task, such as prepare a purchase order or
search for additional information.
Figs. 4-6 show the interactivity of user action
and program responses when the user clicks on the "Company
Logo" icon 38, "Introduction" icon 40, or the "Map" icon
42, respectively. These responses generally provide
information that is not specifically related to the items
in the catalog. After viewing the information provided,
the user is returned to the main menu screen 34.
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If the user clicks on the "Contract Items'l icon
44 of the main menu screen 34 (Fig. 3), the program
responds according to the flow chart of Fig. 7 by
displaying a contract price items screen 56, which is
shown illustratively in Fig. 8. The contract price items
screen 56 provides a line-item listing of all items
specially priced by the vendor. The special price can be
of a contractual nature, such as a fixed price for certain
paper stock based on an agreement between the vendor and
the specific user, or it can be a general discount, such
as 5% off the list price for all, or certain selected,
items.
Referring to Fig. 7, the user can click on the
"Select Item" icon 58. Once the icon has been selected,
the user can click on icons displayed on the contract
price items screen 56 (Fig. 8) to perform related tasks.
For example, the user could click on the "Add Item to PO"
icon 60 in Figs. 7-8, which directs the program to start
a purchase order and include the selected item, or add the
selected item to an existing purchase order, and then
return the user to the contract price items screen 56
(Fig. 8). If the user clicks on the "Add Item to Custom
List" icon 62 (Figs. 7-8), the program initiates a custom
list and includes the selected item or adds the selected
item to an existing custom list and returns the user to
the contract price items screen 56. When the user has
completed reviewing the contract items, he can click the
"Exit" icon 64 (Figs. 7-8) to return to the main menu
screen 34 (Fig. 3).
Figs. 9-16 show the interactive process of user
choice and program response that is followed in a
preferred Quick Pick feature. The Quick Pick feature is
adapted to line-list each item in the catalog by category
and allow a user to quickly and easily search through the
list of items according to manufacturer, price range,
product description or stock number by clicking with the
mouse 26 or using ~tab" or "enter" keys on the keyboard
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16. The Quick Pick feature also allows the user to
generate a purchase order for any selected items while in
the Quick Pick feature. The Quick Pick feature of the
program is accessed by clicking on the "Quick Pick" icon
46 from the main menu screen 34 (Fig. 3). When the user
clicks on the "Quick Pick" icon 46 from the main menu
screen 34, the program displays a quick pick index screen
66 (Fig. 11). From the quick pick index screen 66, the
user can select from among icons for "Describe'l 68, "Find
By SKU" 70, or "Select Category" 72 to access features of
the program. Clicking on the "Exit" icon 74 returns the
program to the main menu screen 34 (Fig. 3).
When the user clicks on the "Describe" icon 68
from the quick pick index screen 66 (Fig. 11), the program
displays a dialog box containing a written description of
all product categories in the index. The dialog box is
similar to that shown in Fig. 25 and overlays the quick
pick index screen 66 shown in Fig. 11. After reading the
information in the dialog box, the user can click on the
"OK" icon on the dialog box to return to the quick pick
index screen 66 (Fig. 11).
When the user clicks on the ~Find By SKU" icon
70 from the quick pick index screen 66 (Fig. 11), the
program displays a "search by SKU" screen 71, which is
illustratively shown in Fig. 12. The search by SKU screen
71 prompts the user to enter the desired SKU and then
start the search or cancel the search. Selecting the
"Cancel" icon 78 from the search by SKU screen 71 (Fig.
12) returns the program to the quick pick index screen 66
(Fig. 11) as shown in the flow chart of Fig. 9. Referring
to Fig. 10, clicking on the "Start Search~ icon 80 (also
shown in Fig. 9) directs the program to search the catalog
for the desired item and to display the information in a
search results screen 81, as illustrated in Fig. 13. The
search results screen 81 shows the SKU number, the
ordering units (gross, dozen, etc.), a description of the
item, the list price, the user's cost, and the percent
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savings. The search results screen 81 also includes an
"Add Item to PO" icon 82, an "Add Item to Custom List"
icon 84 and an "Exit" icon 85. Clicking on the "Exit"
icon in the search results screen 81 (Fig. 13) returns the
program to the search by SKU screen (Fig. 12).
Selecting the "Add Item to PO" icon 82 from the
search results screen 81 (Fig. 13) directs the program to
add the item to a purchase order. The item is added to
the purchase order in the background; that is, there is no
change to the search results screen 81 to indicate that
the item is being added to the purchase order. After
adding the item to the purchase order, the program prompts
the user to either select "Exit" to return to the quick
pick sub-index screen 86 or select "Add Item to Custom
List" to add the item to a custom list. After selecting
"Add Item to Custom List", the item is added to the custom
list and the program returns to a quick pick index screen
66 (Fig. 15). If the user doesn't want to add the
selected item to a purchase order or a custom list, the
user can select "Cancel" to return directly to the quick
pick index screen 66.
Selecting the "Add Item to Custom List" icon 84
from the search results screen 81 (Fig. 13) directs the
program to add the product to a custom list and return to
the quick pick sub-index screen 86. The program performs
the same steps as previously described with reference to
the contract price items feature (Figs. 7-8). From the
search results screen 81, the user can also select the
"Cancel" icon 87 to return the program to the quick pick
index screen 66 (Fig. 11).
Returning to Fig. 9, the user can also click on
one of the category icons ("Select Category" block 72)
from the quick pick index screen 66. The category icons
are illustratively set up for adhesive products, binding,
books, etc. as shown in Fig. 11. Selection of a category
directs the program to display a quick pick sub-index
screen 86 (Fig. 15). From the quick pick sub-index screen
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86, the user can either select a sub-category of items to
review or select the "Cancel" icon 88 to return to the
quick pick index screen 66 (Fig. 11).
Selecting a sub-category icon from the sub-index
screen 86 (Fig. 15) directs the program to display a
product search criteria screen 90, shown illustratively in
Fig. 14. In the product search criteria screen 90, the
user is prompted to provide certain information, such as
SKU number, description of the desired item, minimum price
and/or maximum price. Either before or after such
information is entered, the user can select the "More
Detail" icon 92 to receive more information about the
desired sub-category of items. Clicking on the "More
Detail" icon 92 sends the program the sub-index screen 86,
where selecting or sub-category sends the program to the
product search criteria screen 90 (Fig. 14).
Alternatively, the user can select the "Cancel" icon 94 to
return the program to the quick pick index screen 66 (Fig.
11) .
When the user is satisfied that the proper
- information has been entered, the user can click on the
"Start Search" icon 80 from the product search criteria
screen 90, as shown in the flow chart of Fig. 10, which
directs the program to follow the same steps as previously
described with reference to the "Find By SKU" icon 70 in
the quick pick index screen 66. Fig. 16 shows an
illustrative search results screen 81 displayed as search
results for the "Filing" sub-category.
An additional feature of the invention is the
Purchase Order feature shown in Figs. 17-20, which the
user accesses by selecting the "Purchase Order" icon 48
from the main menu screen 34 (Fig. 3). The Purchase Order
feature prepares a purchase order for any, or all, items
selected by the user. Based upon user input, the Purchase
Order feature transmits the purchase order to the vendor
via fax or modem or prints a purchase order locally on the
user's printer. The purchase order feature saves all or
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selected purchase orders to provide the user with
historical data related to past purchases.
Clicking on the "Purchase Order" icon 48 from
the main menu screen 34 (Fig. 3) directs the program to
display the purchase order screen 96, illustratively shown
in Fig. 19. The program displays icons on the purchase
order screen 96, such as "Fax", "Print" and "Modem"
related to sending a purchase order to the vendor, "Save"
for allowing the user to save the purchase order displayed
on the screen, "Saved PO" for allowing the user to review
other saved purchase orders, and "Exit". If the user opts
to exit, the program offers the choice of saving the
selected items or not, as desired, and returning to the
main menu screen 34, or negating the exit choice and
returning to the purchase order screen 96 (Fig. 19).
While the purchase order screen 96 is displayed,
the user can highlight an item and enter related
information into the "Comment" field or enter changes to
the purchase order by tabbing to the appropriate fields
and making the desired changes. The user is not permitted
to change descriptions, SKUs or prices. When satisfied
that the purchase order is correct, the user can click on
the "Save" icon 98, whereupon he is given the choice of
"Fax", "Print", or "Modem" send options. Selection of any
one of the send options results in the production and/or
transmission of a purchase order and return to the main
menu screen 34.
Instead of sending the purchase order, the user
can elect to review saved purchase orders by clicking on
the ~Saved PO" icon from the purchase order screen 96. In
response to this election, the program displays a saved
purchase order screen 100, shown illustratively in Fig.
20. From the saved purchase order screen 100, the user
can select and view a previously saved purchase order and
then return to the saved purchase order screen 100 as
shown in the flow chart of Fig. 18. Alternatively, the
user can add or replace an item in a saved purchase order
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and return to the purchase order screen 96, or delete a
saved purchase order and return to the purchase order
screen 96. The user can also select "Cancel" to leave the
saved purchase order screen 100 and return to the purchase
order screen 96.
Another feature of the invention is the Custom
List feature, shown in Figs. 21-22. The custom list is a
list of items of special interest or significance to the
user, such as frequently purchased items or items the user
wishes to explore in greater detail at a later time. The
program saves the custom list for future reference by the
user.
The user accesses the custom list feature by
clicking on the "Custom List" icon 50 from the main menu
screen 34 (Fig. 3), whereupon the program displays a
custom list screen 102, which is shown illustratively in
Fig. 22. From the custom list screen 102, the user is
prompted to add the item to a purchase order, delete the
item, or exit custom list and return to the main menu
screen 34.
If the user clicks on the "Add Item to Purchase
Order" icon 104 from the custom list screen 102, the
program initiates a purchase order and adds the selected
item thereto or adds the selected item to an existing
purchase order. The program then gives the user the
option of returning to the custom list screen 102 or going
to the saved purchase order screen 100 (Fig. 19). Going
to the saved purchase order screen 100 provides the user
with essentially the same choices as previously described
for the saved purchase order screen 100 with regard to the
purchase order feature of the invention. However, instead
of returning to the purchase order screen 96 or the saved
purchase order screen 100, as indicated in Fig. 18 with
respect to the purchase order feature, the program returns
to the custom list screen 63.
If the user selects the "Delete Item" icon 105
from the custom list screen 102, the program deletes the
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item from the screen and from the custom list.
When finished with the custom list feature, the
user clicks on the "Exit" icon 107 to return to the main
menu screen 34 (Fig. 3).
The user of the invention can also browse
through the information in the electronic catalog by using
the "Infosearch" feature shown in Figs. 23-37. This
feature can be useful when the user has only a general
idea of which product is desired, if he wants more
in-depth information related to a desired product or if he
just wants to know more about what's available. Depending
on the product, the information can include video or audio
data. Essentially, the "Infosearch" feature allows the
user to take a self-guided tour through the electronic
catalog, with the program providing help along the way as
needed. The user accesses the "Infosearch" feature by
clicking on the "Infosearch" icon 52 from the main menu
screen 34 (Fig. 3), whereupon the program displays the
infosearch index screen 106 (Fig. 24).
As shown in the flow chart of Fig. 23, the user
can choose an "Infosearch Category" icon 108 from the
infosearch index screen 106. The "Infosearch Category"
icons are shown illustratively as graphical icons in Fig.
24. Alternatively, the user can select an "Exit to DOS"
icon 110 which completely exits the program, a "Describe"
icon 112, a "Main Menu" icon 114 which returns the program
to the main menu screen 34, or a ~Help" icon 116. The
icons 110, 112 and 114 are also shown along the bottom of
the infosearch index screen 106 (Fig. 24).
If the user selects the "Describe" icon 112, the
program displays a dialog box with a description of the
product categories, as shown in Fig. 25. Clicking "OK" in
the dialog box returns the program to the infosearch index
screen 106.
If the user selects the "Help" icon 116, the
program displays a list of descriptive terms used in the
catalog. When the user clicks on "Bookmark", the program
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returns to the infosearch index screen 106.
If the user selects a category icon, the program
displays an infosearch sub-category index screen 118,
shown illustratively in Fig. 27. The infosearch
sub-category index screen 118 includes sub-category icons
having upwardly and downwardly pointing arrows indicating
the "Top of Icon" 122 and "Bottom of Icon" 124,
respectively, (blocks 122 and 124, respectively, in the
flow charts of Figs. 23 and 26) and icons for "Contract"
126, "Bookmark" 128, "Describe" 130, "Index" 132, and "All
SKU" 134.
Referring to Fig. 26, if the user selects the
top (upwardly pointing) arrow of one of the sub-category
icons shown in Fig. 27 (block 122 in Fig. 26), the program
displays a line listing by SKU for the products in the
sub-category. Selecting one of the line items causes the
program to display a product screen (Fig. 33) for that
product.
If the user selects the bottom (downwardly
pointing arrow) of one of the sub-category icons shown in
Fig. 27 (block 124 in Fig. 26), the program goes to an
auto switch 136. As shown in the flow chart of Fig. 28,
the auto switch 136 determines whether or not supplemental
information is available for the selected sub-category.
If no supplemental information is available, the auto
switch 136 routes the program to the line listing display,
by SKU, of products in the sub-category, whereupon the
user can select one of the products listed and see the
product screen 138 (Fig. 33) for that product.
If supplemental information is available, the
auto switch 136 displays an infosearch intermediate screen
138, shown illustratively in Fig. 29, which includes
several icons to provide the user with choices which will
narrow down the search. Clicking on the top (upwardly
pointing arrow) of one of the intermediate screen icons,
such as the "Diskettes" icon in Fig. 29, will result in a
line item listing of available diskettes, by SKU, as
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previously described. The user selects one of the line
listings to view a product screen 138 of the selected line
listing.
Still referring to Fig. 28, clicking on the
bottom (downwardly pointing arrow) of the "Diskettes"
icon, for example, in Fig. 29 will result in a set
criteria search screen 142, such as that shown in Fig. 30.
In the set criteria search screen 142, the user can click
on criteria selection icons (block 144 in the flow chart
of Fig. 28). For example, the user can click on the
arrows in the criteria selection icons in Fig. 30 to
select a 3~ inch, double density, unformatted diskette and
click the "Begin Search" icon 146 and the program will
display the product screen 138 shown in Fig. 33.
Alternatively, the user can click on the "Additional
Criteria" icon 148 to receive additional descriptive
information, return to the set criteria search screen 142,
and then click on the arrows in the criteria selection
icons 144 and the "Begin Search" icon 148, as just
described, to arrive at a product screen 138 (Fig. 33).
In selected cases where the manufacturer has
information related to additional or related products, the
program will display a corporate logo for the manufacturer
instead of a graphic image of a particular product. In
that case, the user can click on the describe icon, and
the program will display a review to purchase screen,
illustratively shown in Fig. 36. As shown in the flow
chart of Fig. 35, by selecting a category and clicking on
the review to purchase icon, the user is presented with a
line item listing of the manufacturer's products, shown
illustratively in Fig. 37. When the user highlights one
of the items and clicks OK in Fig. 37, the program
displays a product screen (Fig. 33) for the highlighted
item.
In other cases, the manufacturer may have
provided still photos or video clips related to certain
products. As shown in the flow chart of Fig. 28, in that
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case, the program responds to a click on the describe icon
on the product screen (Fig. 33) by showing a still photo
on the video clip. When the user has finished viewing the
photo or video clip, he clicks on the bookmark icon to
return to the original product screen. Figs. 38 and 39
show illustrative screens displayed for the still photos
and video clips, respectively.
The user can also click on the related products
icon on the product screen (Fig. 33). In that case, the
program displays a line item listing, shown illustratively
in Fig. 40, of all related products.
As shown diagrammatically in the flow chart of
Fig. 28 and in Fig. 29, the user has other options from
the infosearch intermediate screen 138 besides clicking on
the top or bottom of the intermediate screen icons. For
example, the user can click on a "Purchase Order" icon 150
to get to a purchase order screen 96. From the purchase
order screen 96, the user can navigate through the screens
as previously described with regard to Figs. 17-20
(purchase order feature), and return to the auto switch
136 to take up where he or she left off.
While the user can accumulate useful information
from the Infosearch routine, the ultimate goal is usually
to end up at the product screen 138 for a specific
product. From the product screen 138, the user can
compare similar products, get information about related
products, generate a purchase order for the desired item
and add the item to a custom list.
One novel aspect of the "Infosearch" feature is
the shopping cart 154 aspect, illustrated diagrammatically
on the flow chart of Fig. 31, which facilitates the
purchasing process by allowing the user to keep a list of
selected items and quantities for purchase without going
to the purchase order after selecting each item. That is,
the user can make all of his selections and then review
what's in the shopping cart to ensure that he hasn't
missed anything and that the total price is within budget.
2136596
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Specifically, as shown in Fig. 31, when the user
has had the opportunity to decide on a product to
purchase, he can click on the "Shopping Cart" icon 154
from the product screen 138 (Fig. 33). In response, the
program displays a calculator which the user can use to
enter the desired quantity of the selected item. The
program then calculates the total price for the selected
item, adds the information to a purchase order, and
returns the user to the product screen 138. When the user
has completed making all of the desired selections, he can
click on an "Add" icon 156 to direct the program to
display a purchase order screen 96 (Fig. 19) containing
the selected items. After following the procedures
previously described with regard to Figs. 17-20 to
generate a purchase order, the program returns to the
product screen 138 (Fig. 33).
As shown in the flow chart of Fig. 31, from the
product screen 138 (Fig. 33), the user can click on the
"Previous Product" icon 158 or the "Next Product" icon 160
to proceed to a product screen 138 displaying the new
product. As shown in the flow chart of Fig. 32 and in
Fig. 33, the user has additional options available from
the product screen 138, such as an index, bookmark, and
help. The user can also go directly to a purchase order
screen 96 without going through the shopping cart aspect
by clicking on a "Purchase Order" icon 161, or review the
list of contract items for products carried at special
prices or having special discounts by clicking on a
"Contract" icon 163.
An important feature of the invention is the
flexibility of item pricing. Any item in the electronic
catalog can be uniquely priced for any customer. The
vendor applies the flexible pricing by using an '~install"
utility. The install utility permits the vendor to
specify a price or discount for any or all of the items in
the catalog for the individual user during the
2~36S9~i
- 23 -
installation process. Thus, the vendor can offer any item
at one price for one user and at another price for another
user. The special pricing can therefore reflect
contractual or other relationships between the vendor and
individual user. The install feature also restricts
access to the electronic catalog to approved customers
only. The steps followed in the install feature are shown
illustratively in Fig. 43.
Initially, the vendor receives the electronic
catalog and an install utility from the electronic catalog
producer. The vendor then creates an install file by
entering customer data to restrict access and adding other
particular customer information to allow the customer to
interact with his order processing systems. The vendor
also enters contract prices for the particular customer,
which can take the form of "cost plus" or "list minus"
percentages. An illustrative process for creating a
customer install file and setting up contract prices is
shown in Figs. 44a-44c.
When the vendor has completed setting up the
contract prices in the install file, he sends the install
file and the electronic catalog to the customer. The
customer then loads the install file and electronic
catalog to his PC, and can then transfer the now
operational catalog to his hard drive or server network.
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 invention as described and defined in the
following claims.
