CA 02430214 2005-07-29
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING RECURRING
ORDERS IN A COMPUTER NETWORK
10
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is
subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile
reproduction by anyone of the patent docunient or the patent disclosure, as it
appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyriglit
rights whatsoever.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a system for managing recurring orders using
a
computer network.
BACKGROUND ART
Whether speaking of traditional brick and mortar commerce or electronic
commerce, often the key to making or losing a sale comes down to customer
convenience.
A consumer is less likely to make a purchase if it is inconvenient for him or
her to do so.
The mail/phone order catalog industry is based on the premise that it is more
convenient
for a user to shop from home and have their purchases delivered than for them
to visit a
store.
However, beyond making that first sale, retailers attempt to generate repeat
sales to
previous customers to keep their businesses viable. The better the first
shopping
experience is for a customer, the more likely the customer will make
subsequent purchases.
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Automated repeating order systems have been implemented to increase customer
loyalty. Such systems include negative response systems such as record/compact
disc
clubs which send out a different product, i.e. a different recording, on a
fixed interval, e.g.
monthly, if the consumer fails to return a response card. Negative response
systems also
include systems wherein a user agrees to purchase a specified dollar amount in
products or
services. Where the user fails to meet the specific amount for the given
interval, the
system automatically ships products or services to make up the difference.
Other repeat
order systems include "product of the month" systems which deliver a different
product,
selected from a category of products, every month. These svstems include
flower of the
month or fruit of the month which deliver a different variety of the product
every month for
a specific number of months.
The problem associated with the above repeating order systems is that they are
structured to provide vendor convenience over consumer convenience. Such
systems
derive benefit for the vendor from the inconvenience to the consumer involved
'u1 returning
the response cards, returning the unwanted products or meeting minimum
purchase
requirements. Often, consumers receive unwanted products but do not want to
deal with
the hassles of returning the products or stopping the shipments. Further,
these systems fail
to reduce the number of shopping experiences for the consumer because they are
usually
associated with vendors which offer a limited product selection.
In electronic commerce, consumers have convenient access to products and
services
offered by multiple vendors, also known as "e-tailers", on the Internet. With
the click of a
mouse, a particular consumer can jump from one web site to another. They may
do this for
a myriad of reasons, including obtaining a marginally lower price, obtaining
an incentive
offer or just because the first web site was too inconvenient to navigate. :hi
addition,
establishing repeat customers at a particular web site for items which are
used again and
again is proving difficult. Web retailers have more success with one-time
purchases,
typically for durable goods such as books, gifts, or airline tickets, than
with repeat
purchases, typically for consumable goods such as detergent, deodorant or
shampoo.
Obtaining and particularly retaining customers has becorne an important issue
as the
electronic commerce industry matures.
Electronic commerce retention strategies include stream lining web site
designs,
improving customer service and improving product selection. 'Typicallv. a
strategy for
streamlining a web site includes simplifying the navigation, organizing the
content, and
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simplifying the order entry and processing. An exanlple of such a strategy is
described in
U.S. Pat. 14o. 5,960,411 which discloses a 1-click ordering systeni which
allows repeat
customers to order products with one operation. However, further or different
retention
strategies may better maintain a customer's loyalty for tuture purchases.
Accordingly, there is a need to increase the convenaence of purchasing
products and
services in the electronic commerce environment. Specifically there is a need
to improve
the convenience for making purchases from one or more electronic commerce
vendors to
improve the acquisition of new customers and the retention of existing
customers through a
reduction in consumer frustration, costs and resources associated with the
shopping
experience.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this
section
should be taken as a limitation on those claims. By way of introduction, the
preferred
embodiments described below relate to establishing automatic repeat ordering
for orders
using a computer network.
In one aspect, an order management system facilitates electronic commerce over
a
network wherein the network comprises at least one selver computer capable of
communicating with a browser system located at a remote client computer over
the
networlc. The order management system includes an order receiver operative to
receive a
first request for a first suggested order, the frst suggested order comprising
a first one or
more suggested products or services of a plurality of products or services, a
first suggested
recurrence for each of the first one or more suggested products or services
and first
suggested quantities. The order managemen, system turther includes a profile
generator
coupled with the order receiver and operative to generate a first profile, the
first profile
comprising the first suggested order. The order management system also
includes an order
generator responsive to the first profile and operative to cause the first
suggested order to
au.tornatically recur one or more times according to the frrst suggested
recurrence.
In another aspect, a method facilitates electronic commerce through a network.
"rhe
network comprises at least one server coniputer capable oi' communicating with
a browser
system located at a remote client computer. The rrlethod includes: receiving a
first request
for a first suggested order, the first suggested order comprising a first one
or more
suggested products or services of a plurality ofproducts or services, a first
suggested
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recurrence for each of the first one or more suggested products or services
and first
suggested quantities; and generating a first profile, the first profile
comprising the first
suggested order, wherein the first suggested order automatically recurs one or
more times
according to the first suggested recurrence.
Further aspects and advantages of the invention are discussed below in
conjunction
with the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a recurring order
management system.
FIG. 2 depicts a more detailed block diagram of the recurring order management
system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3A depicts a block diagram of a first preferred profile for use with the
recurring order management system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3B depicts a block diagram of a second preferred profile foi- use with
the
recurring order management system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of the calculator function of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of the assessment interface of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of the packages/templates interface of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 depicts a schematic diagram of the struchzre of the recurring order
management system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 8 depicts first preferred profile database tables for use with the
recurring order
management system of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 9-11 depict a schematic diagram of a preferred back end process for use
witla
the recurring order management system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 12 depicts a first preferred interface screen for the recurring order
management
system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 13 depicts a second preferred interface screen for the recurring order
management system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 14 depicts a first preferred descriptive screen for the recurring order
management system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 15 depicts a second preferred descriptive screen for the recurring order
management system of FIG. 2.
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FIG. 16 depicts a first preferred confinnation/modification interface screen
for the
recurring order management system of FIG. 2.
FIC,. 17 depicts a first preferred profile data entry interface screen for the
recurring
order management system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 18 depicts a first preferred profile confirmation screen for the
recurring order
management system of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 19A-B depict a third preferred interface screen for the recurring order
management system of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 20A-B depict a first preferred assessment interface screen for the
recurrilig
order management system of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 21A-B depicts a first preferred packages/templates interface screen for
the
recurring order management system of FIG. 2.
FIG. 22 depicts a second preferred confirmationhnodification interface screen
for
the recurring order management system of FIG. 2.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments relate to a standing/recurring order management
system
which allows a consumer to set up a standing order for products or services.
The standing
order automatically repeats according to a recurrence pattern specified by the
user.
Selected products or services are sent to the user, i.e. ful.filled, at
regular intervals based on
the recurrence pattern. The system facilitates the establishment of long term
orders,
enliancing consumer convenience and loyalty. While the embodiments are
discussed in
relation to individual consumers, the embodiments are applicable to any entity
which
purchases products or services including, but not limited to, industrial
purchasers,
electronic commerce retailers/wholesalers, brick and mortar
retailers/wholesalers and direct
sales retailers/wholesalers. Products and services include, but are not
limited to, consumer
products or services intended as inventory or for end user consumption and
industrial
products or services, including consumable and durable goods or services.
A problem with most web selling strategies is that, while the customer's visit
to the
electronic store-front may be pleasant, the customer still has to visit every
time they wish
to make a purchase, often for the same item, again anct again. Where a
particular custonier
buys multi.ple products from multiple vendors, they rnust repeatedly visit
multiple web sites
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and undertake the purchasing process at each web site, Wherein each web site
may offer a
convenient shopping experience, that convenience is lost in the multitude of
shopping
experience that the consumer must undertake to complete their shopping needs.
This may
lead to customer frustration and ultimately the loss of that customer to one
or more.
electronic commerce vendors or to traditional brick and mortar retailers.
Where a
particular customer is actually a business which purchases their inventory,
office supplies,
etc. from electronic commerce based vendors, executing repeated purchases from
multiple
vendors results in increased costs and wasted resources. Accordingly, there is
a need to
reduce the number of shopping experiences in a customer's life in order to
make shopping
on the web truly convenient.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a recurring order system 100 which
allows a consumer 102 to set up a standing order for one or more products or
services
offered by an electronic commerce vendor 104A, B via a networlc 106 with a
recurring
order management system 108. The system 108 causes the standing order to recur
at an
interval. Upon each recurrence, the standing order is transmitted to a
fulfillment entity
110A, B which fulfills the standing order to the customer 1.02. The recurring
order
management system 108 is preferably iniplemented on one or more server
computers
coupled with the network 106.
In the preferred embodiment, the consumer 102 includes an individual consumer
(single person or family) having a personal computer, such as a Pentium III
based personal
computer or equivalent manufactured by Intel Corporation, located in Santa
Clara,
California, running the Windows 98 operating system, manufactured by Microsoft
Corporation, located in Redmond, Washington, and having a browser program,
such as
Internet Explorer version 5.0, also manufactured by Microsoft Corporation or
Netscape
Navigator, manufactured by Netscape Communications Corporation, located in
Mountain
View, California. Other personal computers, operating systems and browser
programs may
be used.
The consumer 102 is coupled with the network 106, which is preferably the
Internet, so as to be able to browse and interact with web sites, also coupled
with the
Internet, using the browser program. Such web sites include sites provided by
the
electronic eommerce vendors 104A, B (described below). 14erein, the phrase
"coupled
with" is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected with
through one or
more intermediate components. Such intermediate components may include both
hardware
ti
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and software based components. In an alternative embodiment, the consumer 102
may use
a telephone; to communicate with an operator that is linked with the recurring
order
management system 108 on behalf of the consumer 102.
In an alternative embodiment, the consumer 102 is a business or corporation or
representative thereof and may include business to business, procurement
management
systems. F'urther, the consumer 102 may include independent direct sales
"utisiness ownei-s
of a multi-level marketing organization. In addition, the network 106 may be a
different
type of publicly accessible networlc, such as a cable or satellite networlc, a
private network
such as a s'ubscription based network, e.g. Anierica On-]Lin,,-, an intranet
or a private
extranet, o:r combinations thereof.
The- electronic commerce vendor 104A, B is preferably a web site based vendor
of
products and/or services. In one embodiment, the vendor 104A, B is the Quixtar
web site,
provided by Amway Corporation, located in Ada, Michigan and accessible at
http://www.quixtar.com. In this embodiment, the vendor 104A, B is affiliated
with a
multilevel marketing organization which enrolls participants as clients,
members or
independent business owners ("IBO"), each with different participation
privileges and
responsibilities. The electronic commerce vendor 104A., B may also be a
traditional
marketing based vendor. Further, the vendor 104A, B r.aay include one or both
of
electronic commerce and traditional brick and mortar store fronts.
Alternatively, the
vendor 104A, B may comprise only the fulfillment entity 110A, B and operate no
storefront. In this case, the vendor 104A, B may rely on the order management
system 108
to receive and process orders wherein the vendor 104A, B tulfills those orders
as the
fulfrllment: entity 110A, B.
The products or services offered by the vendor 104A, B include consumer
products
or services such as toothpaste, shampoo and other consumables as well as
consumer
electronics and other durable goods, etc. Services may include reminder
services
(described in more detail below), cleaning services, maintenance services or
legal,
accounting, secretarial or other professional services, or subscription based
services such as
magazines, book clubs, cellular service, voice mail servtce, etc. Further the
offered
products or services may also include office supplies, business inventory or
office or
business r-~lated services.
The fulfillment entity 110A, B is an entity, such as a warehouse and/or
shipping
agent, wh:ch provides the products or services to the end consumer. In the
preferred
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embodiments, the fulfillment entity 110A, B is associated with the electronic
commerce
vendor 104A, B. In alternative embodiments, the fulfillment entity I 10A, B is
separate
from the vendor 104A, B wherein the vendor 104A, B out-sources order
fulfillment to one
or more fulfillment entities 110A, B. The electronic commerce vendor 104A, B
communicates with the fulfillment entity via the network 1.0E oi- via a
private/intcrnal
communications channel. The fulfillment entity l I OA, B fulfills orders for
products or
services by shipping or otherwise providing the products or services to the
end consumer
102. Electronically distributable products or services, such as software,
music or reminders
may be fulfilled via the network 106.
In one embodiment, the recurring order management system 108, the vendor 104A.
B and the fulfillment entity 110 are all comprised by the same entity 112. In
alternative
enibodiments, one or more of the order management system 108. the vendor 104A,
B or
the fiilfillment entity 110 are comprised by separate entities and fi2rther,
order management
system 108 can interact with multiple vendors 104A, B and multiple fulfillment
entities
110A, B.
Figure 2 shows a more detailed diagram of the order management system 108 of
Figure 1. In the preferred embodiment, the system 108 is coupled with the
vendor 104A, B
via hyper text transfer protocol ("HTTP") links displayed on a web site/web
pages/screens
associated with the vendor 104A, B. The web pages are associated with products
or
services provided by the vendor 104A, B and preferably provide a link to the
order
management system 108 so as to allow the particular product or service to be
added to a
standing order. In one embodiment, the link may be a Standing Order link
provided on a
particular product or service description page, an order entry page or a
shopping cart/basket
management page.
By choosing the Standing Order link, the consumer 102 is forwarded to an order
management system interface 202, 204, preferably implemented as a web page,
that allows
the consumer 102 to create a new standing order profile or update an existing
profile
(described in more detail below). A standing order profile allows a consumer
102 to set up
an automated order system that sends products and/or services to the user at
regular
intervals, which are selected by the user. Such standing orders provide an
efficient method
for establishing repetitive orders of products and/or services from the vendor
104A, B.
In one embodiment, all items in the user's shopping cart are placed in the new
or
existing profile utilizing the interface 204. The user then has the option of
removing items
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from the profile. Consumers 102 are alerted in the shopping cart management
page,
preferably after checkout, when a particular item can be placed on standing
order.
Alternatively, the user selects items from the shopping cart to be included in
the profile.
Consumer-s 102 may place individual products or an entire order on a standing
order
quickly and easily. Users may also have nluztiple standing orders and the
ability to add an
item to astanding order on a one-time basis. As wil l be discussed below,
consumers 102
may also interact with the order management systerr: 108 clirectly to create
and manage
profiles.
The order management system 108 includes a profile generator 202, a profile
management interface 204, a profile database 206 anci an order generator 208.
As will be
discussed in more detail below, a standing/recurring order for a particular
consumer 102 is
stored in a profile 210. The profile 21.0 includes a list of products or
services, preferably
identified by an identifier such as a stock keeping unit ("SKU"), and a
specification of how
much and when, i.e. the recurrence, eacli of those products or services are to
be
delivered/provided. The profile 210 further includes payment and delivery
information.
The profil e 210 preferably contains enough informatiori to repeatedly fulfi l
l the recurring
order without further interaction from the consumer 102. Less information or
additional
information may be maintained as part of the profile.
The recurrence specifies when the order management system 108 is to generate
the
order to the fulfillment entity 110A, B and the frequency with which the order
should be
generated. In alternative embodiments, the recurrence specifies when the
consumer 102
desires to receive the products or services and the frequency or delivery
interval. For
exarnple, the profile 210 may specify that an order for two twelve ounce
bottles of
shampoo is to be generated on the 2x"' day of every other rr onth. In this
case, the order will
be generated on the 2"a day of the month and the recurrence interval is every
two months,
with the actual delivery taking place once the order has been processed by the
fulfillment
entity 110A, B. Alternate recurrence intervals include daily, weekly, monthly,
yearly, etc.
and may be defined by the consumer's 102 needs, such as defined by the
predicted lifespan
of the product. For example, if a consumer 102 orders a quantity of a specific
product that
lasts 38 days under normal usage, the recurrence interval far shipping
additional quantities
of that product may be every 38 days. Further, the order generation or
scheduled delivery
can be specified as a particular day of the week, e.g. deliver on "Tuesdays, a
particular day
or week of the month, e.g. the third day or third week of the month or the
first Tuesday of
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the month, a particular day or week of the year, etc. or any other
specification which
identifies a preferred order generation or order delivery day. In one
embodiment, a profile
210 comprises a group of products or services to be delivered in each shipment
according
to the specified recurrence. Where a consumer 102 desires to receive products
or services
delivered in more than one shipment, additional profiles 210 may be created
for the user.
For example, where a consumer 102 desires to receive one bottle of shampoo
each month
on the second day of the month and one bottle of conditioner each month on the
18"' day of
the month, two separate profiles 210, one for the shampoo and the other for
the
conditioner, are generated.
Referring to Figure 3A, there is shown an exemplary profile 210. 'lhe profile
210
includes user information 302, such as name, address, account number,
demographic
information and preference information. Demographic inf'ormation comprises
objective
descriptive classifications of consumers such as their age, sex, income,
education, size of
household, ownership of home, pet ownership, ete. The profile 210 further
includes an
order matrix 304, a fulfillment schedule/interval 306, payment information 308
and
delivery information 310. The paynlent information 308 includes information
about how
the consumer 102 intends to pay for each recurring order and includes a
billing address,
credit or debit card/account information or other identifier of a fund source.
In the
preferred embodiments, the payment information 308 includes information which
allows
the order management system 108 to automatically collect payment for each
recurring
order at the time, or in advance of fulfillment.
The delivery information 310 includes information about where to ship the
orders.
This information may specify a different address than the billing address or
even a different
address from the address where the customer 102 resides. Where the recurring
order is a
gift, the delivery information 310 identifies the delivery address of the gift
recipient and
may include a gift message.
The order matrix 304 lists each product or service in the standing order. Each
product or service is preferably identified by a SKU and a product
description. Adjacent to
each product or service is the quantity of that product or service that is to
be delivered upon
each iteration of the recurring order. Preferably, the quantities are
specified as the number
of units of the particular product, for example, two twelve ounce bottles of
shampoo.
Alternatively, the quantities can be specified in bulk, cases or lots in
addition to units,
eaches or singles. In the preferred embodiment, there are twelve iterations,
one for each
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month of the year. Alternatively, 52 iterations, 1 for each week of the year,
are provided as
a default or the number of iterations may be customized by consumer 102. The
order
matrix 304 allows the consumer 102 to specify a different quantity for each
iteration
depending on their needs for the particular product or service.
The fulfillment schedule/interval 306 defines when cach iteration of the
recurring
order should be delivered, such as on the 3"d day of each. particular month.
`The fulfillment
schedule/interva1306 may further specify the number of iterations in the
recurring order.
Upon eachL iteration of the recurring order, an order for each of the products
or services
listed is generated in the specified quantities i.'or that eteration and
transinitted to the
fulfillment entity 110A, B to be fulfilled.
In an alternate embodiment, a recurrence of inciividual products or groups of
products are set up on different recurrence schedules within one profile 210.
Further, the
profile 210 specifies the quantities to be delivered on each recurrence. As
will be
discussed below, products or services are typically available in a particular
unit quantity,
such as a twelve ounce bottle, also known as "eaches" or "iulits" where bulk
quantities are
refen=ed ta as "cases" or "lots". Consumers 102 may specif"y standing orders
which ships
lesser qua:itities more frequently or larger quantities less frequently. Such
specifications
may depend on the product shelf life or the consumer's 102 ability to store
the excess
products. Further, such specifications may be tied to promotional offers by
the vendor
104A, B of the particular products or services.
Figure 3B shows a profile 210 which allows any product to be delivered at any
time. Profile 210 of Figure 3B is similar to profile 210 of Figure 3A
including user
inforrnation 302 except that the order matrix 312 allow., each product or
service entry to
specify a fulfillment schedule/interval for that product c,r service
independent of the
schedule/interval for other products or services. In an. a.lternative
embodiment, the
consumer 102 may specify a delivery schedule for the particular product which
defines
when that product or service will be actually delivered, such as a periodic
schedule or a
variable schedule. Further, in another alternative embodinient, the consurner
102 may
specify payment or delivery information for each product or service. For
example, one
particular product is charged to one account and delivered to one particular
address while
another product or service is charged to a second account and delivered to a
different
address.
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In still another embodiment, the order matrix 312 may include a category field
tor
each product or service allowing the consumer 102 to categorize and organize
listed
products or services to facilitate managing and maintaining the recuzring
order. Products
or services may be categorized and grouped to allow group manipulation and
modification.
In another alternative embodiment, the profile 210 allows the specification of
recurring
reminders, which are discussed in more detail below. In still another
embodiment, the
profile 210 is calendar centric rather than product centric and is structured
as a daily,
monthly or yearly calendar allowing the consumer 102 to specify,. by day or
date, products
and/or services and quantities to be delivered. In addition the consumer 102
specifies the
recurrence, i.e. that the order for that particular product or service or
group of products or
services should recur on that day each month, or every other month or the
order should
recur every 30, 60 or 90 days thereafter, or that the order is one time only.
For example,
the consumer 102 may specify that on the first Tuesday of October, 2 twelve
ounce bottles
of shampoo are to be ordered and that this order should recur on the first
Tuesday of every
other month thereafter.
Again referring to Figure 2, the profile generator 202 further includes a
single
product interface 212, a shopping cart interface 232, a reminder interface
218, a
packages/templates interface 220, an assessment interface 222 and a
transaction history
interface 224. Each of these interfaces 212, 232, 218, 220, 222 and 224 is
used to add
products or services to an existing profile or create a new profile for these
products or
services. Preferably, each of these interfaces 212, 232, 218, 220, 222 and 224
create a
temporary suggested profile 210 which the consumer 102 may modify, cancel or
confirm/accept. Upon confirmation/acceptance, the suggested profile 210 is
activated and
stored in the profile database 206. It will be appreciated that the interfaces
212, 232. 218,
220, 222 and 224 can directly create an active profile which the consumer 102
then has the
option to modify or cancel. Further, the profile generator 202 includes
calculator 214 and
balance 216 functions and a profile confirmation/moditication interface 226.
The profile
generator 202 provides both an interface to the order management system 108 as
well as
the functionality to generate profiles 210. In the preferred embodiment, this
interface
comprises one or more web pages which present instructions to the consumer
1.02 and
receive input from the consumer 102 using the hypertext transport protocol
("HTTP"),
hypertext markup language ("HTML"), extensible markup language ("XML") or
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equivalent communications protocols and web page construction languages, or
combination thereof, as are lrnown in the art.
The single product interface 212 is used to add a particular product or
service to an
existing profile 210 or creates a new profile 210 for the product or service.
The interface
212 can be accessed by the consumer 102 via the vendor 104A, B as described
above or
can be directly accessed by the consumer 102. For exampl+l-, the vendor 104A,
B can
provide an HTTP link on a web page/file associated with a partictilar product
or service to
allow the consumer 102 to add that particular product or se:wice to a standing
order. The
consumer 102 selects the link and is forwarded to the single product interface
212 of the
order management system 108 where options are presented to specify the desired
quantities
and recurrence. Where the consumer 102 accesses ttie single product interf`ace
212
directly, the interface 212 allows the consumer 102 to ident:ify one or more
desired
products or services, such as by entering a product or service name or a SKU
and, where
necessary, a vendor 104A, B identifier. Alternatively, the single product
interface 212 may
provide H'TTP links which provide the consumer 102 web pages associated with
products
or services provided by the vendors 104A, B. These web page may be provided by
the
vendor 104A, B or by the order management system 108.
The shopping cart interface 232 operates similarly to the single product
ordering
interface 212 and can be linked to from the shopping caa:-t/basket web pages
of the vendor
104A., B. A consumer 102 may add an entire shopping cart of products or
services to a
standing order profile 210 with one action. lr- an alternative embodiment,
where the
vendors 104A, B provide persistent shopping carts which niaintain selected but
unordered
products or services beyond the consumer's 102 browsing session, the corisumer
102
accesses the shopping cart interface 232 which is coupled with each persistent
shopping
cart that a consumer 102 has opened and allows the consunier 102 to add one or
more
products from one or more of those existing shopping carts to a standing order
profile 210.
The packages/templates interface 220 allows the consunier 102 to pick from a
set of
predefineci product groupings. Each product grouping includes one or more
suggested
products or services, a suggested recurrence l'or the grouping and suggested
quantities to be
delivered upon each recurrence. Suggested products or services are arranged
and grouped
based on a relationship among the products or services. For exaniple, a
product grouping
may be provided, entitled "fitness frealc" and comprise one or more suggested
products or
services related to health and fitness with suggested recurrences for each of
the products or
13
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WO 02/41106 l'c'T/US01/43891
services tailored for a physically active consumer 102. Further, a grouping
may be offered,
entitled "family of 4" and comprise one or more suggested products or services
that an
average family of four might use along with a suggested recurrence pattern.
Groupings
may be offered based on any aspect of consumer 102 demographics or preferences
or mav
be offered as a promotion coupled with free products or services, a discount
price or other
incentive opportunity. Where the vendor 104A. B comprises a multilevel
marketing
system and the consumer 102 is a direct sales representative or independent
business owner
within the marketing system, groupings may be provided which are tailored to
helping the
consumer 102 reach a particular sales or bonus goal.
Further, the selection of groupings offered to a particular consumer 102 may
be
tailored to the consumer's 102 demographics or preferences or where the vendor
104A, B
comprises a membership club, the selection may be tailored to the consumer's
102
membership level. In one embodiment, the packages/templates interface 220
first
determines the consumer's 102 demographics and preferences, such as through an
interactive questionnaire or an interactive pick list or by referring to such
information
stored in a profile 210. Using the consumer's 102 responses, the
packages/templates
interface 220 generates/displays a selection of product or service groupings
which match
the consumer's demographics and/or preferences. In the preferred embodiments,
groupings are referred as templates for new customers of the order management
system
108 and are tailored to getting the new customer started with their recurring
order. Further,
groupings are referred to as packages for existing customers with existing
profiles 210 and
are tailored to assisting existing customers with updating their profiles 210.
Figure 6 shows a block diagram of the packages/templates interface 220. The
interface 220 comprises an interface web page 602 which presents the selection
of
suggested product or service groupings to the consumer 102. The available
product and
service groupings are stored in a database 606. 'The database 606 is coupled
with the
interface 602 via the filter 604 which is used to control which product or
service groupings
are made available to the consumer 102 as described above. The interface 606
is coupled
with a response processor 608 which receives the selection from the consumer
102 of a
product or service grouping. The response processor 608 retrieves the desired
product or
service grouping from the database 606 and forwards the grouping to the
generator 610.
Alternatively, the response processor 608 displays the contents of the
particular selected
grouping via the interface 602 to confirm the consumer's 102 selection. The
generator 610
14
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
wu 02r41106 rC 1~uanl~3szs9 ~
generates a suggested profile 210 comprising the orie or more products or
services from the
groupings and the suggested recurrence pattern. T'he suggested profile 210 is
then made
available for balancing (described in more detail below) or sent to the
profile
confirmation/modification interface 226 (described in lmore detail below).
Re;_erring to Figure 2, the assessment interface 222 provides an interface to
the
order management system 108 for consumers 1.02 who are new to the order
management
system or who desire assistance in choosing products or services, proper
quantities, or a
proper recurrence. The assessment interface 222 provides one or more
interactive
messages to the consumer 102 in order to determine and suggest which products
or
sei-vices, quantities and what recurrence pattern would be appropriate for
that consumer
102. The interactive messages may comprise option lIsts from wliich the
consumer 102
chooses, questions which the consumer 1.02 answers or other information
gathering
methods. Information relating to one or more of consunner 102 demographics,
subjective
preferences and actual product usage may be gathered. Wtierein the consuwner
102 has an
existing profile 210, one or more pieces of this information may be retrieved
from the
stored profile 210. For example, a consumer 102 may be asked if they do
laundry
themselves. If the answer is yes, they may be presented with an option list to
select how
many times they do laundry in a month. Further they may be asked if they are
male or
female, how old they are, yearly income and whether or not they use fabric
softener.
The series of interactive messages may be part of a;iiierarchical or linear
interrogatory or process flow which is used to deterrnine which particular
product or
service should be suggested and what the suggested quantities anci recurrence
should be. In
one embo(liment, a first series of one or more interactive messages is related
to determining
whether a particular product is or would be used, while a second associated
series of one or
more interactive messages is used to determine the suggested recurrence and
quantities per
recurrence. In one embodiment, each response to the second series of
interactive messages
is associated with a multiplier which is used to compute the suggested
recurrence and
quantities. A first and second series of interactive messages are provided for
different
products or services. In an alternative embodiment, the assessment interface
222 presents a
series of interactive messages designed to det.ermine wl,uch name brand
products the
consumer 102 currently uses. The assessment interface 222 then determines a
suggested
profile 211) of suitable replacement products or services provided by the
vendor 104A, B.
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
WO 02/=11106 PC-Pus01/43891
Such a suggested profile 210 may be accompanied by a report of the cost
savings over the
name brand products.
Table 1.0, below, lists exemplary questions, expected responses and associated
products for the preferred assessment interface 222.
TABLE 1.0
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT(S) ~
Household Size How many people live Four+ <Multiplier value>
in the household full
time?
-- -----;
Household Size How many peop(e live Three <Multiplier value> !
in the household full
time? -
Household Size How many people live Two <Multiplier value>
in the household full
time?
Household Size How many people live One <Multiplier value> 3
in the household full
time?
Household Size How many people live None <Multiplier value>
in the household full
time?
Household Size Number of females, One <Multiplier value>
16 years or older
Household Size Number of females, None <Multiplier value>
16 years or older
Household Size Number of females, Four+ <Multiplier value>
16 years or older
- __-----------+-- -
Household Size Number of females, Three <Multiplier value>
16 years or older
Household Size Number of females, Two <Multiplier value>
16 years or older
Household Size Number of males, 16 Four+ <M ltiu iel r value>
years or older
---..__-- - _ ---- -- --- --~
Household Size Number of males, 16 Three <Multiplier value>
years or older
Household Size Number of males, 16 Two <Multiplier value>
years or older
Household Size Number of males, 16 One <Multiplier value>
years or older
------
Household Size Number of males, 16 None <Multiplier value>
years or older
Household Size Number of boys Four+ <Multiplier value>
between 4 years and
years?
----
Household Size Number of boys Three <Multiplier value>
between 4 years and
15 years?
------
Household Size Number of boys None <Multiplier value>
between 4 years and
~
15 years?
~ -------- value>
Household Size Number of boys Two <Multiplier between 4 years and
15 years? Household Size Number of boys One <Multiplier value>
between 4 years and
15 ears?
16
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WO 02/41106 r'~vuauvaoay~
- --
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS _~ - PRODUCT S)
Household Size Number of girls None <Multiplier value>
between 4 years and
15 years? Household 'Size Number of girls Four+ <Multiplier value>
between 4 years and
15 years?
Household Size Number of girls Three <Multiplier value>
between 4 years and
15 ears?
_-_ _____ --------~ _.
Household Size Number of girls Two <Multiplier value>
between 4 years and
15 years?
Household Size Number of girls in : <Muitiplier value>
between 4 years and
15 years?
Household Size Number of children Four+ <Multiplier vaiue>
between 0 and three
years? Household Size Number of children Three <Multiplier value>
between 0 and three
years? Household Size Number of children Two <M p e r value>
between 0 and three
ears?
Household Size Number of children One <Multiplier value>
between 0 and three
ears?
Household Size Number of children None <Multiplier value>
between 0 and three
_
Household Size ears?
Number of pet cats in None <Multiplier value>
the household? _
Household Size Number of pet cats in Two_ <Multiplier value>
the household?
Household :Size Number of pet cats in One <Multiplier value>
the household?
Household Size Number of pet cats in Four+ <Multiplier value>
the household?
Household :Size Number of pet cats in Three <Multiplier value>
the household?
Househoid Size Number of pet dogs Ore <Multipiier value>
in the household?
Househoid Size Number of pet dogs None <Multiplier value>
in the household?
Household Size Number of pet dogs Four+ I <Multiplier value>
in the household? !
Household Size Number of pet dogs Three J_<Multiplier value>
in the household?
- .~--. __ - ----
Househoid Size Number of pet dogs Two <Multiplier value>
in the household?
Household Size Do you own a second No <Multiplier value>
home, cottage, or
_ Rec Vehicle? _
Household Size Do you own a seconr, Yes <Multiplier value>
home, cottage, or
Rec Vehicle?
Household Size Does anyone in your No <no product>
home smoke?
'17
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CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT(S)
Household Size Does anyone in your Yes Fabric FreshnerTM home smoke?
Household Size Does anyone in your No <no product>
home wear glasses? _
Household Size Does anyone in your Yes SeeSprayTM' Lens ,
home wear glasses? Cleaner
Household Size Does anyone in your No <no product>
home wear contact
lenses? ~
Household Size Does anyone in your Yes Saline solution,
home wear contact multi-purpose
lenses? 1 solution
Household Size How many turtles are None <no product>
in our house?
Household Size How many turtles are Four+ <Multiplier value>.
in our house? turtle food
~-- -. _- Household Size How many turtles are Three <Multiplier vaiue>,
in our house? turtle food
Household Size How many turt[es are Two <Multiplier value>,
in your house? turtle food
Household Size How many turtles are One <Multiplier value>,
in our house? turtle food
Residence Number of Four+ PursueTM Toilet Bowl
Type/Layout bathrooms? Cleaner, PursueTM
_ Disinfectant cleaner
Residence Number of Three Pursue T"'Toilet Bowl
Type/Layout bathrooms? Cleaner, PursueT""
Disinfectant cleaner
Residence Number of Two Pursue'TM Toilet Bowl
Type/Layout bathrooms? Cleaner, PursueTM
Disinfectant cleaner
Residence Number of One PursueTM Toilet Bowl
Type/Layout bathrooms? Cleaner, PursueTM
Disinfectant cleaner
Residence Number of None ~~- <nr) product>
T e/La out bathrooms?
Residence Approximately how 3500-4500sq ft <Multiplier value>
Type/Layout many square feet is
our house? _ _
Residence Approximately how 2500-3500sq ft~ -f <Multiplier value>
Type/Layout many square feet is
our house?
Residence Approximately how 1500-2500sq ft _7<Multiplier value>
Type/Layout many square feet is
your house?
Residence Approximately how Less than 1500sq ft <Multiplier value>
Type/Layout many square feet is
our house?
Residence What % of your floors >75% y ~<Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in DurashineTM F(oor
Hardwood? Polish
Residence What % of your floors 50 75% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in DurashineTM Floor
Hardwood? Polish
Residence What % of your floors 25-50% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in DurashineTM Floor
Hardwood? ! Polish
Residence What % of our floors Less than 25% <Multiplier value>,
18
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W U l12/31106 rt UU alr I/4JaY I
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT S
Type/Layout are covered in DurashineT"" Floor
Hardwood? Polish
Residence What % of your floors None <no product>
Type/Layout are covered in
Hardwood?
Residence What % of your floors None <no product
Type/Layout are covered in
Linoleum?
Residence What % of your floors >75% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in DurashineTM Floor
Linoleum? Polish
Residence What % of your floors 50-75% <Multiplier value>,
Type/L_ayout are covered in DurashineTM Floor
Linoleum? Polish
Residence What % of your floors 25-50% <Multiplier value>,
Typell-ayout are covered in DurashineT"' Floor
Linoleum? Polish
Residence What % of your floors Less than 25"/~ <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in DurashineT"' Floor
Linoleum? Polish
Residence What % of your floors 50-75% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in Tile? DurashineT"' Floor
Polish
Residence What % of your floors 25-50% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in Tile? DurashineTM Floor
Polish
Residence What % of your floors Less than 25% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in Tile? DurashineTM Floor
Polish
Residence What % of your floors None <no product> T e/La out are covered in
Tile?
Residence What % of your floors >75% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in Tile? DurashineTM Floor
Polish
Residence What % of your floors None <no product>
Type/Layout are covered in
_ Carpet? Residence What % of your floors 25-50% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in Carpet Shampoo,
Carpet? Magic Foam TM'
___ Car et Cleaner
Residence What % of your floors Less than 25 /~, <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in Carpet Shampoo,
Carpet? Magic FoamTM
Car et Cleaner
Residence What % of your floors >75% <Multiplier value>,
Type/Layout are covered in Carpet Shampoo,
Carpet? Magic FoamTM
Carpet Cleaner
Residence What % of your floors 50-75 /o <multiplier>, Carpet
Type/Layout are covered in Shampoo, Magic
Carpet? FoamTM Carpet
Cleaner
Residence What is the 10-25years <Multiplier value>
Type/Layout approximate age of
our home?
Residence What is the 0-10years <Multiplier value>
Type/Layout approximate age of
our home?
19
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- - --- -
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT(S)
Residence What is the Over 50 years <Multiplier value>
Type/Layout approximate age of
~
your home. ~
Residence What is the 25-50years fi<Multiplier value>
Type/Layout approximate age of
our home?
----------
Residence How many cars do Two+ <Multiplier value>
T e/La out you drive?
Residence How many cars do One ~<Multiplier value>
T e/La out ou drive?
General Cleaning Do you use counter Yes PursueTM
top cleaner? i Disinfectant cleaner,
? SeeSprayTM
1 Chrome & Glass
cleaner
General Cleaning Do you use counter No I<no product>
to cleaner?
General Cleaning Does your home have Yes Crystal BrightT"'
an automatic automatic
dishwasher? dishwashing formula
(hard or soft formula
General Cleaning Does your home have No <no product> an automatic
dishwasher?
General Cleaning Does your home have No <apply to dishwasher
soft water? question>
General Cleaning Does your home have Yes <apply to dishwasher
soft water? question>
~-_
General Cleaning Do you use a Yes <no product>
cleaning service?
General Cleaning Do you use a No Floor polish, dusting
cleaning service? spray, bathroom
cleaner
.._______ 7~
Laundry Do you use l"iquid Yes SA8 Detergent -
laundry Detergent? Liquid
Laundry Do you use liquid No <no product>
laundry Detergent? Laundry Do you use powdered Yes SA8TM' Detergent -
laundry detergent? Powder
Laundry Do you use powdered No <no product>
laundry detergent?
Laundry Do you use a liquid Yes ( Pre-Wash spot
stain remover? I I treatment
-
Laundry Do you use a liquid No <no product>
stain remover?
R - - . ---- -
Laundry Do you use an all Yes SA8TM' all-fabric
fabric t e bleach? bleach Laundry Do you use an aA No J T~ <no product>
fabric type bleach?
-1--
Laundry Do you use an Yes Pre-Wash spot
aerosol stain treatment
remover?
Laundry Do you use an No <no product>
aerosol stain
remover?
---- _-_---- ------ --- ---~. __
Laundry I Do you use a chlorine 4 Yes SA8'T" Dry Chlorine
bleach? bleach
+------ _ ___ _ _ ~_- - - _
Laund Do ou use a chlorine No ~noproduct>
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
WO 02/41106 r~ vu5uv4ss9j
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT(SL_
_ bleach?
Laundry Do you ever use a Often <Multiplier value>,
Laundromat? SA8TM' Sam les
Laundry Do you ever use a Occasionally <Multiplier value>,
Laundromat? SA8TM' Samples
Laundry Do you ever use a Rarely <Multiplier value>,
Laundromat? _SA8T"' Sam les
Laundry Do you ever use a Never <no product>
Laundromat?
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use shaving Grooming GearT "
cream? shave cream
Personal Care How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members use shaving Grooming GearT""
cream? shave cream
Pers Two <Multiplier value>,
onal Gare How many family
members use shaving Grooming GearTM
cream? shave cream
Personal Care How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members use shaving Grooming GearT""
cream? shave cream
Personal Care How many family None <no product>
members use shaving
cream?
Personal Care How many family One~~ <Multiplier value>,
members have oily ArtistryTM'
skin?
Personal Care How many family -1 None <no product>
members have oily
skin?
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members have oily ArtistryTM
skin?
, Per sonal C,are -~ How many family Ttlree <Multiplier value>,
members have oily ArtistryTM'
skin?
Personal Care~-1 How many family Two~~ <Multiplier value>,
members have oily ArtistryTM'
skin?
Personal Care How many family None <no product>
members have dry
skin?
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>, -
members have dry ArtistryTM'
skin? Personal Care How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members have dry ArtistryTM
skin?
Personal Care How many family <Multiplier value>,
members have dry ArtistryTM'
skin? _-
Personal_Care --'' How many family One =,,Multiplier value>,
members have ArtistryTM
skin? _
Personal C:are How many family i-~Three <Multiplier value>,
~ members have ArtistryTM'
sensitive skin?
C Personal C:are ; How many family Two value>,
21
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CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED !RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS _ PRODUCT(S)
members have ArtistryTM
sensitive skin?
Persona) Care How many fami)y One <M tiplier value>, v
members have ArtistryTM
sensitive skin?
Personal Care How many family None <no product> members have
sensitive skin?
---
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members have Artistry"^
sensitive skin?
Personal Care How many family None <no product>
members wear
makeup? Personal Care How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members wear ArtistrvTM
makeup? Personal Care How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members wear ArtistryT
makeup? Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>.
members wear ArtistryTM
makeu ?
Personal Care How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members wear ArtistryT"^
makeup? Personal Care How many use an One <Multiplier value>,
alpha hydroxy ArtistryT^'
product? Personal Care How many use an None <no product>
alpha hydroxy
product?
Personal Care How many use an Four+ `[ <Multiplier value>,
alpha hydroxy ArtistryTM
product?
Personal Care How many use an Three <Multiplier value>,
alpha hydroxy ArtistryTM
product?
Personal Care How many use an Two <Multiplier value>,
alpha hydroxy Artistry 7^"
product?
,~- ----- , ~_- _----- - -
Personal Care How many family None <no product>
members use
mouthwash?
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use GlisterTM Oral Rinse,
mouthwash? Sweet
Personal Care How many family Three <Multip i r value>, members use GlisterTM
Oral Rinse,
mouthwash? Sweet ShotT'-I
Personal Care How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members use GlisterTI^ Oral Rinse,
mouthwash? Sweet ShotTr^
Personal Care How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members use Glister'"' Oral Rinse,
mouthwash? Sweet ShotT"^ , Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier
value>
members use dental
22
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
WO 02,41106
r~. -iua~t~ii~a~c
CATEGOR'Y ASSESSMENT --
ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT S
floss?
Personal Care How many family Three <Multiplier value>
members use dental
floss? ~
Personal Care How many famiiy +_<Multiplier value>
members use dental floss?
Personal Care How many family Orie __f- -~
<Multiplier value>
members use dental
floss?
Personal Care How many family None ------<n_o product>
members use dental
floss?
Personal Care How many family ~ None ` <no product>
members use stick
deodorant?
Personal Care How many family Tvio <Multiplier value>,
members use stick DeterTM Deodorant
deodorant?
Personal Care How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members use stick DeterTM Deodorant
deodorant?
Personal Care How many family Four+ ~ Y-~ <Multiplier value>,
members use stick DeterTTM Deodorant
deodorant?
Personal Care How many family Three ultiplier value>,
members use stick DeterTM Deodorant
deodorant?
r Personal Care How many family One ` -~ <Multiplier value>,
members use spray DeterTM' Deodorant
deodorant?
Personal Care How many family - None_ <no product>
members use spray
deodorant?
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use spray DeterTM Deodorant
deodorant? _ _
Personal Care How many fami(y Three - -f <Multiplier value>,
members use spray DeterTM Deodorant
deodorant? Personal Care How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members use spray DeterT"^ Deodorant
deodorant?
Personal Care How many family None product>
no
members use roll-on
deodorant? Personal Care How mariy family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use roll-on DeterT"" Deodorant
deodorant?
Personal Care How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members use roll-on DeterTM' Deodorant
deodorant?
Personal 'are How many family Two - -~ <Multiplier value>,
4 j members use roll-on DeterTM Deodorant
deodorant?
I Personal Care How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members use roll-on DeterTM Deodorant
deodorant?
23
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--
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED !RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT(S) ~
Personal Care How many family Three <Multiplier vaiue>
members use pump t e hair s ra ?
-' ----- _
Personal Care How many family Two ~<Multiplier value>
members use pump
type hair s ra ?
_ +- --- -------~
Personal Care How many family One <Multiplier value>
members use pump
type hair s ra ?
_ _-_ _ _ ._.__---- ------- - --;
Personal Care How many family None <Multiplier v-alue>
members use pump
t e hair s ra ? - _ __. ~. -------- -~
-
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>
members use pump-
t e hair spray ? ~~
Personal Care How many family None ! <no product>
members use aerosol
hair s ra ? ~ p
Personal Care How many family -
Two <Multi lier value>
members use aerosol
hair s ra
Personal Care How many family One ~ !<Multiplier value>
members use aerosol
hair s ra ? _
--- _ - - _ _ ~-~ - --. - _
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier lier value>
members use aerosol
hair s ra ?
Personal Care How many family Three <Multiplier value>
members use aerosol
hair s ra ?
- -- _ - ------~
Personal Care How many family --One <Multiplier value>
members use tiair
s lin el?
- _- _ -----'
Personal Care How many family None <no product>
members use hair
st lin el? -
------ -
Personal Care How many family Ffi our+ <Multiplier value>
members use hair
st lin el?
_--- _ _ _ -- - - ---:
Personal Care How many family ~,Three <Multiplier value>
members use hair
st lin gel?
-- _ --- _------- -
Personal Care How many family Two <Multiplier value>
members use hair
styling gel?
-- --_---________~ ----_ ,
Personal Care How many family None <no product>
members use hair
styling mousse?
-----
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>
members use hair
st lin mousse?
-- --- - - _ -j
Personal Care How many family Three <Multiplier value>
members use hair
styling mousse?
Personal Care How many family - Two ~ ~<Multiplier value>
members use hair
st lin mousse?
----
Personal Care How many famil One <Multiplier value>
24
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
WU 02/41106 YCUUSUU4StfY1
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATEC+ RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT S
members use hair
st lin mousse?
Personal Care How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use hair SatiniqueTM
conditioner?
Personal Care How many family Three -~ - <Multiplier value>,
members use hair SatiniqueTM
conditioner? _
Personal Care How many family Two - <Multiplier value>,
members use hair SatiniqueT"'
conditioner?
Personal Care How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members use hair SatiniqueTM
conditioner?
Personal Care How many family None <no product>
members use hair
conditioner?
--
Personal Care How many use hair None <no product>
shampoo/conditioner
_ combination?
Perso_nal Care How many use hair Two <Multiplier value>,
shampoo/conditioner SatiniqueTM'
combination?
Personal Care How many use hair One ~-~ <Multiplier value>,
shampoo/conditioner SatiniqueT""
combination?
Personal Care How many use hair Four+ <Multiplier value>,
shampoo/conditioner SatiniqueTM
combination?
Personal Care How many use hair Three <Multiplier value>,
shampoo/conditioner SatiniqueT"'
combination?
Personal Care How many members Orie <Multiplier value>,
use a dandruff control SatiniqueTA^
roduct?
Personal Care How many members None _ <no product>
use a dandruff control
product? Personal Care How many members Four+ <Multiplier value>,
use a dandruff control Satinique'"
product?
- -- -
Personal Care How many members Three <Multiplier value>,
use a dandruff control SatiniqueTM
_ roduct?
Personal Care How many members Two <Multiplier value>,
use a dandruff control SatiniqueTl"
product? Health & Nutrition How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members use a multi Double XTM'
vitamin?
Health & Nutrition How many family None <no product>
members use a multi
vitamin?
- -r-_-- _._ _ _- - -- - -
Health & Ni.atrition How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use a multi Double XTDd
vitamin?
Hea_lth & N atrition How many family i Three <MultiplieTMvalue>,
members use a multi Double X
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
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CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS _ PRObUCT(S}
vitamin?
___ _ _ _--- --------
Health & Nutrition How many family "i"wo 4<Multiplier value>,
members use a multi Double XT"
vitamin?
-- _ -------
Health & Nutrition How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use energy NutriliteTM
products?
Health & Nutrition How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members use energy NutriliteTM roducts?
-----------
Health & Nutrition How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members use energy NutriliteT"'
products?
_.-----
Health & Nutrition How many family One f <Multiplier value>,
members use energy NutriliteTM roducts? . }
Health & Nutrition How many family None <no product>
members use energy
products?
Health & Nutrition How many family Four+ - <Multiplier value>,
members use Herbal NutriliteTM products? _
Health & Nutrition How many family Three <Multiplier value>.
members use Herbal NutriliteTM
products?
TM
Health & Nutrition How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members use Herbal Nutrilite
products? Health & Nutrition How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members use Herbal Nutriiite'lM
products? ---- --
Health & Nutrition How many family None <no product>
members use Herbal
roducts?
-----
Health & Nutrition How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite ATP"
Vitamin A?
i~- - -j {
Health & Nutrition How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite AT"='
Vitamin A? Health & Nutrition How many family None _ <no product>
members take
Vitamin A?
Health & Nutrition How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite CT'~' ~
Vitamin C? +
Health & Nutrition How many family Three ~ V _
<Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite CTM
Vitamin C?
Health & Nutrition How many family Two ~,.. <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite CT"
Vitamin C?
Health & Nutrition How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite CT"!
Vitamin C?
Health & Nutrition How many family None <no product>
members take
Vitamin C?
26
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W U O2/41106 rt 1 i U 11 +.)ay i
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPT:!ON QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT(S)
Health & Nt.itrition How many fami(y Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite ATX
Vitamin A? _
Heaith & Nutrition How many famiiy Three <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite ATM
Vitamin A?
Health & Nutrition How many family None ~~ <no product>
members take
Calcium?
Health & Nutrition How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite''"'
Calcium?
Health & Nutrition How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members take NutriliteT"'
Calcium?
Health & Nutrition How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members take NutriliteTM
Calcium?
Health & Nutrition How many family One ~~~ <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite'TM
Calcium?
Health & Nutrition How many family None <no product>
members take
Vitamin B?
Health & Nutrition How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members take NutriliteT"'
Vitamin B?
Health & Nutrition How many family Three <Muitipfier value>,
members take NutriliteTM
_ Vitamin B?
Health & Nutrition How many family Two j <Multiplier value>,
members take NutriliteTM
Vitamin B?
Health & Nutrition How many family Orie <Multiplier value>,
members take NutriliteTM'
Vitamin B?
Health & Ntttrition How many family Four+ ~Multiplier value>,
members take ! NutriliteTM'
Vitamin E? _----{- _
Health & Ntitrition How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members take NutriliteM
Vitamin E?
Health & Nutrition How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members take NutriliteTM'
Vitamin E? FHea_lth & Nutrition How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members take NutriliteT"'
~~ Vitamin E?
Health & Nutrition How many famify None _ <no product>
! members take
Vitamin E? 7 _
Health & Nutrition How many family ~ Three - <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite
~. Children's Vitamins? ' ChewablesTM
Heal~
th & -Nutrition How many family ~wo <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutrilite
Children's Vitamins? _ __ ChewablesTM
Health & Nutrition How man fy amily <Multi lier value>,
27
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CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT(S)
members take Nutrilite
Children's Vitamins? ChewablesT""
Health & Nutrition How many family None -~~ <no product>
members take
Children's Vitamins?
Health & Nutrition How many family Four <Multiplier value>,
members take Nutnlite
Children's Vitamins? ChewablesTM Health & Nutrition How many family Four+
<Multiplier value>,
members use ~ Nutrilite'"
Memor roducts?
Health & Nutrition How many family Three <Multiplier value>, ~1
members use NutriliteT'l.
Memo roducts?
Health & Nutrition How many family Two ~ M tiplier value>.
members use NutriliteTM
Memo roducts?
Health & Nutrition How many family One <Multiplier value>, ~
members use NutriliteTM Memo roducts?
Health & Nutrition How many family None <no product> ~
members use
Memo roducts?
Health & Nutrition How many members One <Multiplier value>,
use Weight Control NutriliteT"
roducts?
Health & Nutrition How many members None <not - product> use Weight Control
products? Health & Nutrition How many members Four+ -J--r<Multiplier value>,
use Weight Control NutriliteTM products?
Health & Nutrition How many members Three <Multiplier value>,
use Weight Control NutriliteTM
products?
Health & Nutrition How many members Two <M tl iu riel value>, use Weight
Control NutriliteTM products?
oduct>
Health & Nutrition How many family None <n product>
members use Sports
products?
Health & Nutrition How many family Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use Sports NutriliteTM
products?
Health & Nutrition How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members use Sports NutriliteTM
products? _
Health & Nutrition How many family Two <Multiplier value>, members use Sports
NutriliteT"A
products?
-___-__-.---- ----.___:_ - -.--_,
Health & Nutrition How many family One <Multiplier value>,
members use Sports NutriliteTM
roducts?
p
Health & Nutrition How many family 4Four+ <Multiplier value>,
members use NutriliteT^^
Prostate pro
Health & Nutrition How many family Three <Multiplier value>,
members use NutriliteTM
28
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CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED ¨ RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT S
i _
Prostate products?
Health & Nutrition How many family Two <Multiplier value>,
members use NutriliteTM'
Prostate products? Health & Nutrition How many family One <Muitiplier value>,
members use NutriliteTM
Prostate products? Health & Nutrition How many family None <no product>
members use
Prostate pro
Misc -- Drinks Do you prefer Yes Nine To FiveTM
"premium" blend Coffee
coffee each day?
Misc Drinks Do you prefer No <no product>-~
"premium" blend
coffee each da ?
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of One <Multiplier value>,
regular coffee do you Nine To FiveTM
make daily? Coffee
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of None <no product>
regular coffee do you
make daily?
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of Four+ <Multiplier value>,
regular coffee do you Nine To FiveTM'
make daily? Coffee
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of Three <Multiplier value>,
regular coffee do you Nine To FiveTM
make daily? Coffee
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of Two <Multiplier value>,
regular coffee do you Nine To Five r"
make daily? Coffee
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of None <no product> decaf coffee do you
make daily? Misc -- Drinks How many cups of Four+ j <Multiplier value>,
decaf coffee do you Nine To FiveTM make daily? Coffee
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of Three <Multiplier value
decaf coffee do you Nine To FiveTM'
make daily? Coffee
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of Two <Multiplier value>,
decaf coffee do you Nine To FiveTM
make daily? Coffee _
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of One <Multiplier value>,
decaf coffee do you Nine To FiveTM
make daily? _ ...~.~.. Coffee
Misc - Dririks How many cups of Four+ <Multiplier value>,
~ tea do you make Nine To FiveTM Tea
daily? Misc -- Dririks How rnany cups of Three <Multiplier value>,
tea do you make Nine To FiveTM Tea
daily? Misc irr 7ks How many cups of Tuvo -~~ <Multiplier value>,
tea do you make Nine To FiveTM' Tea
daily?
Misc - Drinks How many cups of One ~ <Multiplier value>,
tea do you make Nine To FiveTM Tea
daily? - ---- -- ----- __.__1_--_____ -.
29
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WO 02/41106 PCT/USO1/43891
CATEGORY ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED RELATED
DESCRIPTION QUESTION ANSWERS PRODUCT(S)
Misc -- Drinks How many cups of None <no product>
tea do you make
daily?
Cars How many cars do None _, o product>_
you own?
Cars How many cars do Two <Multiplier value>
you own?
Cars How many cars do 0ne <Multiplier value>
you own?
Cars How many cars do Four+ <Mu Itiplier value>
you own?
-- - -
-
-
Cars How many cars do Three <Multiplier vafue> --+
you own?
Cars Do you wash your Yes t Mint ConditionT"' Car
own car? Wash, Gel & Tar
Remover, Trim &
Tire Protectant
Cars Do you wash your No <no product>
own car?
,.------ -- _-
Cars Do you wax your own Yes Mint ConditionT"' Car
car? Wash, Gel & Tar
Remover, Trim &
Tire Protectant Cars 1 Do you wax your own No <no product>
car?
_ - ---- -- --------- - -;
Cars Do you change your Yes FreedomTM Synthetic
car's oil yourself? Oii___
Cars Do you change your No <no product>
car's oil yourself?
+ --..._ ._-...-------------- --- ___~~
Cars Do you use a fuel Yes FreedomTM Fuel
additive? Additive
Cars Do you use a fuel No <no product>
additive?
In one embodiment, the interactive messages consist of a linear set of
interrogatives
such as those shown in Table 1.0 above. The assessment interface 222 provides
a
structural framework within which marketers of the vendor 104A, B or order
management
system 108 may specify the interrogatives, expected responses and associated
products or
operations to be performed. The framework permits the marketer to define one
or more
categories of interrogatives. Within each category, the marketer specifies one
or more
interrogative messages and the expected responses. ln actual use, the
interrogative is
presented along with a pick-list which displays the acceptable choices. The
consumer 102
picks the appropriate response from the list. In addition. for each response,
the marketer
can define an associated product or group of products and/or an operation or
rule to be
performed on the consumer's 102 response. The rule may consist of a
mathematical
calculation using the consumer's response and stored data regarding the
associated product.
Further, the calculation may take into account the responses from other
interrogatives. In
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
u'O 02/41106 ri_ uuwiryoo~i
one embodiment, each rule associated with each product or products is further
associated
with a predictedlassumed reconunended annual usage rate for that product for
one average
person as determined by the marketing department. For example, a "yes"
response to "do
you use a powdered laundry detergent?" would be associated with SA8TM laundry
detergent and further associated with the response to the interrogative for
"How many
adults are in your household?". 'The associated rule ther.t would compute the
average
recommended annual usage for one person of SA8 times the number of people in
the
household. Where the number of children are factored in, a. 1/2 multiplier may
be included
to account for the lower usage rate of a child versus the predicted average
person. In this
way, the numeric responses are multiplied against the average annual usage to
determine
the total product quantity to deliver in a year. One or more interrogatives
may also be
forrnatted to make a more accurate determination oi'actual usage rates rather
then rely on
the predicted usage rates. For example, rather then simply asking the consumer
whether or
not they do laundry and using a predicted average annual usage rate, the
interrogatives may
ask how oi:ten the consumer 102 does laundry and how many load are done each
time.
Using this information, the total number of loads can be computed and divided
into the
known number of loads in 1 unit of SA8 laundry detergent to arrive at the
recommended
quantity.
In operation, the assessment interface 222 presents a. list of interrogatives
to the
consumer 102 via a web page. T`he consumer 102 uses the pick-lists
corresponding to each
interrogative to set their responses. The consumer 102 then selects a"submit"
button
whic:i sends the interrogatives, responses and associated rules to a host
mainframe which
computes the results of all of the rules. The rules deterniine the recommended
annual
quantities that the consumer 102 must purchase, computed as the suggested
annual number
of unit quantities of the product that should be purchased. Fractional unit
quantities are
appropriately rounded. In an alternative embodiment, the unit quantity
determination
factors in the availability of different unit sizes, such as a 1.2 oz and 24
oz size. Logic then
determines which quantity size is appropriate for each unit given the usage
rate and the
computed annual unit quantities. Such determinations may further be based on
the
availabilit.y of discounts, for example, for bulk purchases.
Once the number of unit quantities for the year are deternuned, calendaring
and
scheduling logic is applied to determine how to spa'ead the delivery those
tulit quantities
over the year. Table 2.0 shows the logic utilized to spread the delivery
schedule. This
31
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WO 02/41106 PCTlUS01/ 43891
table is defined by the marketing department of the vendor 104A, B and may be
adjusted
accordingly by a specific vendor 104A, B depending on the types of products or
services
they sell and their customer's needs.
32
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
W U I12I411 Vb r i u ov uy0o7 1
Table 2.0
NO. JAN--~ FEB MAR APR MAY JUN .NL AtTG SEP OC:T NOV DEC
OF
UN1TS
PER
YEAR
1 ~ 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
4 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 T 0 1~ 0 0
- -- - 5 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 t) 0 1 0 0
6 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0~1 0 1 0
7 1 1 0 1 2 1 t 1 1 0 0
8 1 1 0 1 1 o t~~~ 0 1 1 0
----*-----
9 1 1 1 0 1 1 t l 0 1 1 0
10- 1 1 1 1 0 l l 1 1 1 0 f
4-- t---t
ll 1 I 1 1 l 1 ~ 1 l 1 1 1 1 0
_ '_--_--~-----~_._-- - ------~- -+----~
12 1 1 1 1 1 1 ( 1 I 1 1
13 2 1 1 1 1 1 f-1 t~ 1 2~~ 1 0
14 2 1 1 1 1 1~~l 1 - 1 ? 1 -1--
15 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 { 16 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 - 1 - 2 i 2 17 2 2 2 0 2 2 7 2 2
2 0 1
18 2 2 2 0 2 2 2 ~-2 2 2 1 1--~
19 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 (20 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1
2I 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
For unit quantities between 20 and 24 or in excess of 24 units, the number of
units is
broken down into 24 unit quantities or fractions thereof and applied to the
above table.
Alternatively, logic may be applied which appropriately adjusts the size of
each unit,
depending upon the availability of different sizes of the given product or
service, as
discussed above.
In an alternative embodiment, the interactive messages consist of a linear or
hierarchical set of interrogatives such as those shown in Table 1.0 above.
'1'he
interrogatives consist of product or service determination questions which
attempt to
determine that a particular product or service is or would be used and groups
of quantifier
questions which attempt to elicit information about how those products are or
would be
33
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
WO 02/41106 PC'1/OS01/43891
used. The product or service determination questions arc typically yes/no
questions and
each questions is associated with a particular product or service. Each
product or service
determination question is associated with one or more quantifier questions.
Each quantifier
question may be associated with more than one product or service determination
questions.
The quantifier questions are typically numeric response questions generally
directed to
determining the consumer's 102 demographics and/or preferences and the
responses to
these questions are used as multipliers in a computation to detennine the
suggested
quantities of the associated products or services. Some quantifier questions
seek yes/no
responses. In this case, each response, yes or no, is associated with a
multiplier value
which is used in the overall computation.
The interrogatives, associated products or services, potential acceptable
responses,
multipliers and overall quantity computations are marketing driven and may be
dynamically adjusted to reflect changes in available products or services or
changes in how
consumers 102 actually use those products or services. On the back-end, the
assessment
interface 222 works similar to the packages/templates interface 220.
Associated with each
product or service determination question is a grouping of orie or more
products or
services. For example, a "yes" response to "do you use powdered laundry
detergent?" is
associated with a powdered laundry detergent product and may also be
associated with a
powdered fabric softener. The "no" response would be associated with a liquid
laundry
detergent product. Each response may have an unlirnited number of associated
products or
services. The responses to the quantifier questions associated with that
product or service
determination question are then used to determine the quantity and recurrence
pattern. For
example, the response to the quantifier question "how many times do you do
laundry in a
month?" is "2" and the response to the quantifier question "how many loads do
you do
each time you do laundry? is "3." If one box of powdered laundry detergent can
do thirty-
six loads of laundry, then one box will last this particular consumer six
months using the
computation of: use_rate/(uses_per_wash * washes_per_month). The interface 222
then
suggests ordering one box of powdered laundry detergent every six months.
While it. will
be appreciated that there are numerous ways to compute a suggested ordering
frequency,
typically, a suggested recurrence can be determined from the following
variables:
Quantity per unit of product, i.e. number of ounces in a box
Suggested quantity per use of the product
Actual or projected number of uses by the consumer per iteration
(This may be multiplied by the number of persons in the household)
34
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WU U2/41106 t'C I /U)111/4StS9I
Wherein (Q/S)/A = rlumber of iterations per unit = frequency of piuchase
(Appropriate adjustnlents can be made for fractional results and where
multiple units
may be required in each iteration to meet the actual or projected use.)
Figure 5 shows a bloclc diagram of'the assessment inl:erface 222. The
interface 222
includes an interface web page 502, a question database 504, a response
processor 506, a
quantity/frequency processor 508, a product database 510 and suggested profile
generator
512. The interface web page 502 presents the interactive messages to the
consumer 10.?.
The available interactive inessages are stored in the question database 504.
Preferably,
each consumer 102 is presented with a standard set of introductory interactive
messages
designed to initiate the process of determining the suggested products or
senrices and
accompanying quantities and recurrence pattern. As was described above, these
introductory interactive messages are at the top level of a hierarchical or
linear
interrogatory structure or process flow and may lead to other interactive
messages which
attempt to elicit more specific and detailed responses from the consumer 102.
The consumer's 102 responses to the interactive messages are received by the
response processor 506 which determines which products or services are to be
suggested
and gathers the factors which will be used in computing the suggested
quantities and
recurrence pattern for each. The product or service selection and the
recurrence factors arc
sent to the quantity/frequency processor 508 which computes the suggested
recurrence
pattern and quantity per recurrence for the particular produci: or service.
The
quantity/frequency processor 508 is coupled with a product database 510 which
supplies
information about the recommended and/or reported uses of the products or
services. T'he
product database 510 furtlier contains information about the availability of
products or
services in various unit quantities, the recomnlended quantity per use of the
product or
service and the predicted lifespan, use rate or shelf life of the product or
service. The
product database 510 may be provided by the vendor 104A, B or by the order
management
system 108. In one embodiment, the order management system 108 accesses the
product
database 510 via the network 106. Once the suggested product or service and
associated
recurrence has been determined, the information is passed to the suggested
profile
generator 512 which generates the suggested profile entries 'or the particular
product or
service. As the consumer 102 progresses through more interactive messages, the
process is
repeated for each suggested product or service. At any time, the consumer 102
may
indicate that they are firlished with the assessment of their needs. The
suggested profile is
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
WO 02/41106 P(T/USO1143891
then made available for balancing (described in more detail below) or sent to
the profile
confirmation/modification interface 226 (described in more detail below).
Referring to Figure 2, the transaction history interface 224 provides an
additional
method for assisting the consumer 102 with specifying or updating a profile
210 with
suggested products or services. The transaction history interface 224 is
coupled with the
order processing system of the vendor 104A, B so as to access the order
history of the
consumer 102. In one embodiment, the consumer 102 accesses the transaction
history
interface 224 and requests an analysis of their order history with one or more
particular
vendors 104A, B. Where the transaction history interface 224 determines a
recurring
pattern of purchases, the interface 224 suggests adding that particular
product or service to
a standing order profile 210 at the determined recurrence. In an alternative
embodiment,
the vendor 104A, B accesses the transaction history interface 224 to determine
recurring
patterns within that particular vendor's 104A, B consumer 102 base. The vendor
104A, B
suggests to consumers 102 particular products or services for a standing order
profile to
increase their shopping convenience. This suggestion may be tied to a
promotional offer.
In yet another embodiment, the transaction history of other consumers 102,
such as a
consumer 102 of a same or similar demographic is used to generate a suggested
profile for
a particular consumer 102 or group of consumers 102.
The calculator function 214 provides a tool for a consumer 102 to determine a
suggested recurrence or quantity for a particular product or service. The
calculator
function 214 is preferably made available from any of the interfaces 212, 232,
218, 220,
222, 224. In one embodiment, the calculator function 214 is an interactive pop
up web
page window. In another embodiment, the calculator function 214 is linked with
the
vendor's 104A, B product description web pages or shopping cart web pages and
is made
available via a selectable button or automatically displays when a product or
service is
selected. Selection of the link automatically identifies the product or
service to the
calculator function 214. The calculator function 214 receives information from
the
consumer 102 identifying a particular product or service, such as by SKU, name
or
description, provided manually or automatically as described above, and
intended or actual
usage information about that particular product or service. The calculator
function 214
then computes a suggested recurrence and quantity per recurrence for that
particular
product or service. In one embodiment, the calculator function 214 generates a
suggested
profile entry for the particular product or service within the suggested
profile 210. In an
36
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
WV 021-111U6 YCI/UJUI/4.S591
alternate embodiment, the calculator function displays the suggested results
and allows the
consumer 102 to enter the information into their profile 210.
Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the calculator fu nction 214. The calculator
function 214 includes a produet identifier input 402, user data input 404, a
quantity
frequency processor 406, a product database 408 and a suggested profile entry
generator
410. The inputs 402, 404 accept an identifier of the desired product or
service and
information about the consumer's 102 iritended or actual usage of that
particular product or
service, as described above. These inputs 402, 404 are sent to the
quantityifrequency
processor 406 which con7putes the suggested recurrence and quantity per
recurrence based
on the user data inputs 404 and information about the product or service
retrieved frona the
product database 408. The product database 408 supplies information about the
recommended and/or reported uses of the products or services. The product
database 408
further contains infornlation about the availability of products or services
in various unit
quantities, the recomrriended quantity per use of the product or service and
the predicted
lifespan, shelf life or use rate of the product or service. The product
database 408 may be
provided by the vendor 104A, B or by the order management system 108. In one
embodiment, the order management system 108 accesses tae product database 408
via the
networlc 106. Once the suggested recurrence has been computed, the infonnation
is passed
to the suggested profile entry generator 410 which generates the suggested
profile entries
for the particular product or service. 7'he consumer 102 may repeat the
calculation
function 214 for one or more products or services. At any time, the consumer
102 may
indicate that they are finished with the calculation function 214. 'The
suggested profile
entries are then made available for balancing (described in more detail below)
or sent to the
profile confirmation%niodification interface 226 (described in more detail
below).
The packages/templates interface 220, the assessment interface 222, the
transaction
history interface 224 and the calculator function 214 are all designed to make
creation. and
management of the recurring order profile 210 more convenient. Each of these
interfaces
220, 222, 224, 214 are designed so that the consumer 102 does not have to
figure out 'which
products or services, what quantities of those products or services they need
and/or when
they should get them. These interfaces :220, 222, 224, 214 provide a method of
analyzing
the needs of the consumer 102 and offering them suggested products or
services, suggested
quantities and a suggested recurrence pattern in an autoinated and easy to use
fashion..
Vendors 104A, B benefit from increased customer retention and loyalty, and
consumer's
37
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
WO 02/41106 PCT/USOI/43891
102 benefit from convenience and control. Each interface 220, 222, 224, 214
effectively
receives a request from a consumer 102 for suggestions of products or services
to add to a
standing order, suggested quantities of those products or services and a
suggested
recurrence pattern. The interfaces 220, 222, 224, 214 facilitate extracting
the information
from the consumer 102 necessary to make logical suggestions and generate an
appropriate
suggested profile 210.
Referring to Figure 2, the profile generator 202 further provides a balancing
function 216. The balancing function 216 equalizes the quantities and/or costs
of each
iteration of a recurring order as a function of the life of the order where
the cost or quantity
would otherwise vary as a function of the iteration. The balancing function
216 provides
an interface for manipulating a suggested or existing profile 210 as described
below. In
one embodiment, the balancing function 216 comprises a pop up web page window
accessible from any of the interfaces 212, 232, 218, 220, 222, 224 via a
selectable button.
In alternative embodiments, the balancing function 216 may comprise its own
web page.
Once a suggested profile 210 has been generated, there may be one or more
anomalies in
the recurrence pattern of that profile 210. Such anomalies include
disproportionate
quantities or costs for a particular recurrence iteration or set of iterations
as compared to
one or more of the remaining iterations or as compared to the life of the
recurring order. In
such cases, while the delivered quantities and recurrence pattern may
represent an efficient
distribution of ordered products or services with respect to usage, there may
be a resultant
disproportionate cost or quantity in one or more iterations. In other cases,
the suggested
quantities and recurrence pattern may not represent the most efficient
distribution for that
particular consumer 102. For example, in one month., the consumer 102 may
receive a
large quantity of a particular product or service and receive nothing over the
next 5 months.
Another example is where, in one month, the total order cost is $500 or more
while the
costs for the orders over the next 5 months are each less than $100. In these
cases, the
consumer 102 can choose to apply the balancing function 216 to the suggested
profile 210.
The balancing function 216 spreads the distribution of the quantities and or
costs
more evenly across all of the or the remaining iterations of the order. In
this way,
disproportionate iterations are mitigated. In one embodiment, the consumer 102
may
balance their profile 210 as a function of a total order cost, individual
product or service
cost, quantity per product or service, total order quantitv or combinations
thereof.
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CA 02430214 2003-05-15
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In an alternate embodiment wherein the order management system 108 or vendor
104A, B offers incentives or requires minimum purchases per iteration of the
recurring
order, the balancing fur.iction 216 can be used to spread the distribution of
the iterations so
as to maximize the earn.ed incentives or ensure that monthly minimums are met
without
substantially increasing the ordered quantities. Further, wherein the vendor
104A, B
comprises a multi-level marketing system which attaches incentive compensation
value to
each product or service, the balancing function 216 may be ased to equalize
the
compensation earned on a monthly, weekly, or other interval, basis for the
ordered
products or services. Where the consumer 102 is a direct sales, retail or
wholesale
business, such balancing may be further used to ensure that sales goals are
met for eac1i
iteration or to match the; recurring order cycle to an inventory cycle. The
consumer 102
may repeat the balancin.g function 216 for one or more different factors. At
any time, the
consumer 102 may indicate that they are finished with the balancing function
216. The
suggested balanced profile entries are then sent to the profile
confircnation/niodification
interface 226.
In an alternative embodiment, the order management system 108 provides a
reminder interface 218 for adding recurring reminder messa,ges to the
consumers 102
profile 210. The reminder interface 108 allows the consumer 102 to enter any
message and
specify a recurrence pattern for that message, as described above. The message
is
preferably transmitted by electronic mail wherein the rem.inder interface 108
further
permits the consumer 102 to enter their el.ectronic mail addrn,-ss for the
delivery information
or user information of t;he profile. In alternative embodimerits, the message
can be
delivered via telephone, facsimile or postal mail, and the rerninder interface
218 further=
permits the consumer 102 to enter the appropriate delivery information into
the profile 210.
The consumer 102 may specify reminder messages to be delivered to other
individuals or
groups of individuals besides the consumer 102 themselves, such as family
inembers or
business associates. Exemplary reminder messages include birthday or
anniversary
reminders or any recurring event. Reminders may further be specified so as to
couple with
events which occur due to the order management system 10'3. For example, the
consur.ner
102 can specify a reminder message to be transmitted one Aeek prior to the
processing of
their recuiring order so that they may have the opportunity to modify the
order prior to
processing. Alternatively, a renvnder may be specificd to a~ert the consumer
102 that their
order has already been processed and that they should expect delivery soon.
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Reminder messages may also be coupled with products or services specified in
the
profile 210. For example, a reminder may be specified for a spouse's birthday
coupled
with an order for a gift for that person.
In alternative embodiments, the order processing system 108 or the vendor
104A, B
may include promotions or other product or service offers in the reminder
message, also
known as cross selling. Preferably, these promotions or other offers are
included as HTTP
linlcs which allow the user to select the link and liave their browser program
automatically
receive an order entry screen to take advantage of the offer. For example, a
birthday
reminder message may come with links which allow the recipient consumer 102 to
purchase flowers or other gifts.
The reminder interface 218 may specify reminders for any recurring, or non-
recurring event. In one embodiment, the reminder interface 218 presents a
selection of pre-
defined reminder messages for the consumer to select. In another embodiment,
the
reminder message comprises a bill payment from the consumer 102, as a debtor,
to a
particular creditor. The fulfillment entity 110A, B in this embodiment
comprises a
payment clearinghouse, bank or other bill payment facilitator. In this way,
the reminder
messages serve as a bill/debt payment system. The payment may also be coupled
with a
reminder message to the consumer 102 that the payment has been made pursuant
to the
profile 210. Further, in alternative embodiments, the vendor 104A, B or the
order
processing system 108 may add reminder messages to a consumer's profile 210
containing
promotional offers or other information.
The reminder messages may be added based on an analysis of the consumer's
profile 210 or purchasing history. In one embodiment, the order processing
system 108 or
vendor 104A, B checks the validity of the payment information provided in the
profile 210
prior to the fulfillment of the order to determine if the information is still
valid. If the
payment information is invalid, a reminder message can be generated to the
consumer 102
to rectify the situation prior to fulfillment of the order. In another
embodiment, a reminder
message can be specified when a consumer 102 cancels their standing order in
order to
offer them a promotion or other offer to reinstate their standing order. The
consumer 102
may add as many reminder messages as desired. At any time, the consumer 102
may
indicate that they are finished with the reminder interface 218. The reminder
interface then
generates profile entries for the profile confirmation/modification interface
226 (described
in more detail below).
CA 02430214 2003-05-15
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Once the consurner 102 has completed creating or updating a profile 210 using
the
interfaces 212, 232, 218, 220, 222, 224, confirmation of their actions is
provided by the;
confirmation/modification interface 226. The confirmationimodification
interface 226 is
preferably a web page/screen or series of web pages/screens which present the
consumer
102 with the current state of their suggested profile 210 or profile 210
alterations and gives
them the options to create the new suggested profile 210 or update the
existing profile 210
with the suggested or new entries. Further, the interface 226 provides the
functionality to
allow the consumer 102 to add additional products or services, remove unwanted
products
or services, adjust quantities or adjust the recurrence pattern.s. Further,
the consumer 102
may modify their user, delivery or payment inforniation. The interface 226
preferably is
convenient for a consumer 102 to view, modify or cancel their recurring order.
In one
embodiment, the interface 226 provides an overview of the suggested profile
including
projected costs, projected cost savings and an iterative cost breakdown, total
quantities and
other summary information. 7'he profile 210 may be presented to the consumer
102 in a
product centric structure, listing each product, service or reininder in the
profile 210 in a
tabular format along with the associated recurrence and quantities. In another
embodir.nent,
the profile 210 is presented in a calendar centric structure, d.isplaying a
selectable visual
representation of a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or user specified calendar
grid with the
ordered products, services or reminders and associated quantities displayed
according to
their recurrence. In still another embodiment, both a tabular and calendar
display are made
available to the consumer 102 for their selection. It will be appreciated that
such tabular or
calendar based displays of the selected products, services or reminders and
their associated
quantities and recurrence patterns may also be made available via any of the
interfaces 212,
232, 218, 220, 222, 224 and the calculatar and balance functions 214, 216 for
the purpose
of displaying and/or reviewing the generated suggested products, services,
reminders or
associated quantities and recurrence patterns.
Further, the interface 226 provides HTTP links back to the interfaces 212,
232, 218,
220, 222, 224 and the calculator and balance functions 214, 216 so that the
consumer 1.02
may modify one or more of their suggested profile entries. Once the consumer
102 accepts
a given suggested profile 210, the entries are used to generate a new profile
210 or update
an existing profile 210 in the profile database 206.
The profile database 206 stores the profiles 210 of the consumers 102 who
utilize
the order management system 108. Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a
schematic
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diagram illustrating the integration of the web site interface 702 to the
order management
system 108 with the profile database 206. In the preferred embodiment, this
database is
implemented as a DB2 database. DB2 is a relational database management system
manufactured by IBM Corporation, located in Armonk, New York. The web site
interface
application 702 is coupled with a server computer 704 preferably running the
Windows
NTTM operating system, manufactured by Microsoft Corporation, located in
Redmond,
Washington. The server computer 704 is further running a DB2 Universal
Database open
database connectivity ("ODBC") application program interface ("API"). The ODBC
API
couples the server computer 704 with the host mainframe 706 which hosts the
order
management system 108 databases including the profile database 206. In the
preferred
embodiment, the host mainframe is an IBM ES9000 manufactured by IBM
Corporation,
located in Armonlc, New York. When a consumer 102 creates, modifies or
otherwise
accesses a profile, the web application 702 performs a function call via the
server computer
704 and an ODBC connection to the host mainframe 706. The call initiates a DB2
stored
procedure transaction which performs the desired function depending upon the
data
parameters that are passed during the call. All inquiries and updates are
performed directly
against the operational profile database 206 which is maintained on the host
706. It will be
appreciated that other combinations of hardware and software may be used to
achieve the
desired functionality such as alternate database management systems such as
Oracle8
manufactured by Oracle Corporation, located in Redwood Shores, California,
which utilize
a structured query language ("SQL") interface. In addition, other interface
broker API's
may also be used such as Java Database Connectivity or Common Object Request
Architecture. The profile database 206 is structured as a set of four tables
which maintain
the inforn-iation in the DB2 database described above. Referring to Figure 8,
there is
shown a diagram of the preferred profile database 206 tables.
The order management system 108 further provides a profile management
interface
204 which allows a consumer 102 to retrieve, view, edit or delete their
profile 210. 'I'he
profile management interface 204 is preferably iinplemented as web page/screen
or series
of web pages/screens which implement the profile management functionality. In
one
embodiment, the profile management interface 204 provides links to the profile
generator
202. The profile management interface 204 provides access to all of the
functionality
described above for managing a recurring order profile 210.
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The order/reminder generator 208 is coupled with the profile database 206 and
further includes an interface 230 to the fulfillment entities 110A, B. The
order/reminder
generator 208 periodically scans the profiles 210 stored in the database 206
to determine Lf
any orders are scheduled to recur during that period. In the preferred
embodiment, the
generator scans the profile database 206 daily. It will be appreciated that
the scan period is
a function of the mininium allowed order recurrence mterval. When a scheduled
recurring
order is detected for the given period, the generator processes the order and
submits the
order to the fulfillment entities 110A, B to be fulfilled. In the case of
reminder messages,
this includes transmitting the message to an electronic mail server for
transmission to the
recipient. For multi-le'vel marketing or commission based vendors 104A, B, the
order
generator 208 may also calculate the incentive compensaticn or sales bonus and
assign the
compensation or bonus to an appropriate business, sales person or independent
business
owner.
Referring to Figures 9-11, there is shown a block diagram of the preferred
orde:r
generation process and fulfillment process. in the preferrec embodiment, a
batch process
scans the profile database 206 nightly. The batch process sAects all active
profiles 210
which have a process day equal to the current day/date. The process then
checks each
product associated with the profile 210 to determine which products have been
scheduled
for the current month. Once this information has been determined, an order
transaction is
formatted which contains shipping information, such as narne and address,
billing
information, such as credit card number, expiration date, and bonus
information, such as
order volume and IBO data, along with the product(s) scheduled for the month.
Once the order itransaction is forrnatted, it is then sent via the IBM
rnessage queuing
facility ("MQ") in a request queue. Froni the request queue, the order
transaction is
eventually picked up b;y a host ordering system which completes fulfillment.
Upon
completion of processing, the host ordering system places a transaction result
in the MQ
facility which is then picked up by the order management system 108 and the
appropriate
database files are updated. While the above system utilizes one process day
per profile
(limiting each profile to one shipment per month as was discussed above), it
will be
appreciated that a process day can be associated with each individual product,
service or
reminder allowing generation of multiple order transactions per month. In
alternative
embodiments, other processing time increments besides days are supported such
as weekly
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or a particular day of the month, i.e. first Wednesday, second Tuesday, or a
process which
allows the profile 210 to trigger transaction processing may be implemented.
In an alternative embodiment, the order/reminder generator 208 validates the
payment information provided in the profile 210 prior to transmitting the
order to the
fulfillment entities 110A, B. For example, the generator 208 comniunicates
with a credit
card processor to confirm that the credit card payment information provided in
the profile
210 is still valid and that the credit limit has not been reached. In one
embodiment, a
determination of invalid payment information causes an automated message to be
transmitted to the consumer 102 for remediation prior to fulfilling the order.
In another alternative embodiment, a statistical processor is coupled with the
order/reminder generator for analysis of the recurring orders and profiles
210. Further, the
statistical processor derives statistical information from the orders and
profiles 210 for the
purposes of marketing, such as for loyalty or frequency reward programs.
Further the
statistics can be used to optimize the order management system 108.
In another embodiment, the order management system 108 coniprises a personal
information manager which allows the consumer 102, in addition to storing
recurring
reminders and other calendar based events or product or service orders, to
store
contact/address book information (names, addresses), notes, journals or tasks.
Further, the
system 108 may also include an electronic mail box for the consumer to send
and receive
electronic mail. In alternative embodiments, the order management system 108
may
integrate with personal information manager software such as Microsoft
OutlookTM, Lotus
NotesTM or Novell GroupWiseTM to allow profile 210 management.
In still another embodiment, the order management system 108 is accessible via
wireless devices such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants or
wireless modem.
This allows a consumer 102 to have constant access to their profile 210.
As described above, the disclosed embodiments provide a centralized fully
automated and integrated recurring order management system 108 capable of
managing
recurring orders for products and services from multiple vendors 104A, B to be
fulfilled by
multiple fulfillment entities 1 I OA, B. The order management system 108
provides a
calendar centric automated any product/service/reminder, any time mcthodology.
In this
way, the order management system 108 becomes an intermediary entity which
increases
customer convenience, satisfaction and loyalty and provides value added
services to
vendors 104A, B. Consumers 102 also receive a value added service in that
control over
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recurring orders is conveniently provided. to the consumer. Further, the
system 108 allows
the consumer 102 to efficiently consolidate and manage all of their recurring
purchases and
reminders in one location. In this way, the order management system 108
becomes a
convenient lifestyle management system capable of handling any recurring task,
purchase
or event.
In this way a method for facilitating electronic commerce through a network is
described. The order management system 108 server receives requests for
suggested
orders for products or services, suggested quantities and a suggested
recurrence from a
consumer's 102 client browser system via a network, such m the Internet. The
request is
received into one of the interfaces 220, 222, 224 which generate a suggested
profile for an
order of products or services, including suggested quantities and a suggesteci
order
recurrence, that will automatically recur one or more times according to the
suggested
recurrence.
Figures 12-22 depict representative views of the vanous interface screens of
the
preferred embodiments. Figure 12 depicts a first preferred interface screen
for the
recurring order management system 108. Figure 13 depicts a second preferred
interface
screen for the recurring order management system 108. Figure 14 depicts a
first preferred
descriptive screen for the recurring order management system 108. Figure 15
depicts a
second preferred descriptive screen for the recurring order rnanagement system
108.
Figure 16 depicts a first preferred confirrnation/modification interface 226
screen for the
recurring order management system 108. Figure 17 depicts a first preferred
suggested
profile 210 data entry interface screen for the recurring order management
system 108.
Figure 18 depicts a first preferred profile 210 confirmation screen for the
recurring order
management system 108. Figures 19A-B depict a third pret"erred interface
screen for the
recurring order management system 108. Figures 20A-B depict a first preferred
assessment interface 222 screen for the recurring order management system 108.
Figures
21 A-B depict a first preferred packages/templates interface 220 screen for
the recurring
order management system 108. Figure 22 depicts a second preferred
confirmationlmodification interface 226 screen for the recurring order
management system
108.
It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded
as
illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the
following claims,
including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of
this invention.
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INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The system for described herein may be used to establish and maintain
recurring
orders for products or services offered by an electronic commerce vendor.
46
