Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
MAPPING AND QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE
DISTRIBUTION OF FLYERS, CIRCULARS AND THE LIKE.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mapping and quality control systems and
methods
for the distribution of flyers, circulars and the like. The present invention
relates
more particularly to a system and method for the Web mapping and quality
control
of a targeted distribution of circulars, flyers, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Targeted advertising is commonly distributed to consumers through e-mail,
telemarketing and by regular mail from a number of commercial entities seeking
to
advertise or promote their products and/or services to potential customers.
Such
advertising is generally based on a number of demographic and/or geographic
parameters acquired either from a central data source, such as national census
demographics and the like, or from a number of cooperative retail
establishments
acquiring purchasing and personal customer information from their customers
when a customer makes a purchase. Other methods of data acquisition, namely
relying on Web purchases and registered access to Web services, may also be
used to establish potential customer lists.
In order to plan and prepare targeted regional and/or local advertising
campaigns
based on acquired customer information, such information may be regrouped and
mapped by geographic regions, generally mapping customer data and consumer
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activity using any one of customer zip codes, postal codes or phone area
codes.
These maps can then be printed and distributed to plan various targeted market
mailing campaigns.
However, known retail data mapping techniques and services are generally
limited
with regard to data availability and accessibility as well as to the methods
of
targeted advertising capable of benefiting from provided data mapping formats.
Namely, though certain Web portals have been developed to provide end users
access to various demographics information, such information is generally
provided on a large regional scale and used for regional customer analyses to
prepare mass mailing lists and advertising campaigns. Small scale operations
and
advertising mediums are thus not well suited for such services. Also, known
market analysis services generally do not provide means for evaluating the
reach
of targeted campaigns. It is usually impossible to verify whether the targeted
audience received and/or was exposed to the marketing media and when such
exposure took place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to address the above and other drawbacks of known techniques, it is
an
aim of the present invention to provide a Web mapping system and method for
providing end users thereof access to geographically aggregated market data.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a mapping system and
method for geographically mapping market data used to gear and orient the hand
distribution of hardcopy media.
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It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide a quality
control system
and method for monitoring the delivery of hardcopy media.
More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a
method for providing a mapped quality control of objects delivered at
locations
along a distribution route, the method comprising the steps of:
acquiring a QC position of at least one object delivery location using a
portable positioning device;
assigning a positive delivery status marker to said QC position; and
displaying said marker on a map of an area encompassing the distribution
route.
Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system for
use
in providing a mapped quality control of objects delivered at locations along
a
distribution route, the system comprising a portable positioning device for
acquiring a QC position of at least one object delivery location, a data
processor,
having communicative access to the QC position, adapted to assign a positive
delivery status marker thereto and, an output device for displaying the marker
on a
map of an area encompassing the distribution route.
Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a computer-
readable storage medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein
for directing operations of a computer system comprising a processor, a
storage
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device and an output device. The computer-readable program comprises
instructions for operating the computer system to provide a mapped quality
control
of objects delivered at locations along a distribution route. The instructions
comprise maintaining at least one database on the storage device, the database
comprising at least one QC entry comprising a QC position, each QC entry
indicating a delivery of at least one of the objects at a location represented
by the
QC position, assigning a positive delivery status marker to each QC entry
using
the processor and, displaying each of the markers on a map of an area
encompassing the distribution route via the output device.
Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a
computer-
readable storage medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein
for directing operations of a Web based computer system comprising at least
one
processor, a storage device, a Web server and a Web client communicatively
linked to the server. The computer-readable program comprises instructions for
operating the system to provide a mapping of Iocation-specific market data for
an
area in view of targeting a delivery of hardcopy media via a carrier in the
area. The
instructions comprise maintaining at least one database on the storage device,
the
database comprising a first series of data entries and a second series of data
entries, each of the first series of entries comprising market data having a
value
and a location and each of the second series of entries comprising a
distribution
zone, the distribution zone being sized to encompass a respective carrier
distribution route for the delivery. The instructions further comprise mapping
the
first series of entries and the second series of entries on a map of the area,
wherein the mapping of each of the first series of entries comprises
generating a
semaphore representative of the entry value and placing the semaphore on the
map at the entry location and, providing the client access to the map via the
server
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to be displayed thereby via a client output device.
Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a
Web
based system for displaying location-specific market data for an area in view
of
5 targeting a delivery of hardcopy media via a carrier in the area, the system
comprising at least one database, the database comprising a first series of
data
entries and a second series of data entries, each of the first series of
entries
comprising market data having a value and a location and each of the second
series of entries comprising a distribution zone, the distribution zone being
sized to
encompass a respective carrier distribution route for the delivery. The system
further comprises a data processor for mapping the first series of entries and
the
second series of data entries on a map of the area, wherein the mapping of
each
of the first series of data entries comprises generating a semaphore
representative
of the entry value and placing the semaphore on the map at the entry location.
The
system also comprises a Web server for providing access to the map and, a Web
client, communicatively linked to the server, for displaying the map via a
client
output device.
Other aims, objects, advantages and features of the present invention will
become
more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of
specific
embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the appended drawings:
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Figure 1 is a schematic of a Web mapping and quality control system,
implemented by a distributor of hardcopy media and accessible via a Web client
by a sponsor of the hardcopy media, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 2A and 2B are schematics of a host system and a quality control device
of
the Web mapping and quality control system of Figure 1;
Figure 3A is an exemplary screen display of an interactive Web mapping site
generated by the system of Figure 1 and accessed by the sponsor via a Web
client; the Web mapping site providing herein a regional mapping of potential
customer information and data related thereto of interest to the sponsor for
planning a distribution of the hardcopy media;
Figure 3B is an enlarged map window of the screen display of Figure 3A;
Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating distributor and sponsor actions in
implementing
and using the Web mapping and quality control system of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating distributor actions in implementing a
quality
control process for a distribution of hardcopy media, using the Web mapping
and
quality control system of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating operable instructions comprised in a Web
mapping and quality control application for the operation of the Web mapping
and
quality control system of Figure 1;
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Figure 7 is an exemplary screen display of a login page for accessing the Web
mapping site of Figure 2;
Figure 8A is an exemplary screen display of the interactive Web mapping site
of
Figure 2, the Web mapping site providing herein a regional mapping of a
distribution project based on the potential customer information and data;
Figure 8B is an enlarged map window of the screen display of Figure 8A;
Figure 9A is an exemplary screen display of the interactive Web mapping site
of
Figure 2, the Web mapping site providing herein a zoomed-in zonal mapping of
the potential customer information and data;
Figure 9B is an enlarged map window of the screen display of Figure 9A;
Figure 10A is an exemplary screen display of the interactive Web mapping site
of
Figure 9A, the Web mapping site additionally providing herein access to
quality
control waypoints obtained for selected distribution routes via a remote
quality
control device, as illustrated in Figure 1;
Figure 10B is an enlarged map window of the screen display of Figure 10A;
Figure 1 1A is an exemplary screen display of the interactive Web mapping site
of
Figure 9A, the Web mapping site additionally providing herein access to
quality
control tracking obtained for selected distribution routes via a remote
quality
control device, as illustrated in Figure 1; and
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Figure 11 B is an enlarged map window of the screen display of Figure 1 1A;
Figure 12 is an exemplary screen display of a printable map generated from the
Web mapping site of Figure 9A and, a print-function dialog automatically
activated
by the Web client upon generation of the printable map for printing the map.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to Figures 1, 2A and 2B, in accordance with an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, a Web mapping and quality control (QC)
system, generally referred to using the numeral 10, will now be described. The
Web mapping and QC system 10 is illustratively comprised of a host system 12
for
hosting a number of Web mapping and QC services and, one or more remote QC
devices as in 14 for acquiring the QC data used by the host system 12 to
provide
the QC services.
To provide the Web mapping and QC services, the host system 12 is generally
adapted to communicate with at least one remote end terminal device as in 16
through a landline or wireless communication network 18. For instance, the
various Web services may be provided by the host system 12 via a Web server 20
and an associated communication device and interface 22 and, accessed over the
communication network 18 by a Web client 24 stored on one of the end terminal
devices 16, such as an internet enabled personal computer or the like.
Accordingly, the various map and QC products and services, described further
hereinbelow, may be displayed and accessed via a client output device such as
a
display screen, a printer and the like.
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In this illustrative embodiment, the system 10 is operated by a distributor of
hardcopy media, such as printed promotional circulars, flyers and the like,
and
used to provide Web mapping and QC services to one or more sponsors
sponsoring a delivery of such hardcopy media. In particular, the system 10 is
adapted to provide a registered user thereof (i.e. a given sponsor) access to
mapped demographic, geographic and optionally proprietary user data of
interest
to the user's business or field of endeavor (as illustrated in Figures 3A, 3B
and 8A-
12) via an end terminal device 16 in communication with the system 10. Access
to
the mapped data may be provided to the sponsor in view of planning and
coordinating a distribution of promotional circulars, flyers and other such
hardcopy
media to current and potential customers of the sponsor and/or of affiliates
thereof.
In particular, the present system 10 provides a number of functions and
options to
optimize the hand distribution of advertising and various hardcopy media
throughout a large geographical area using optimized carrier distribution
routes
targeting a selected audience. For instance, the system 10 may be used to
combine and map demographic and proprietary customer data (e.g. point-of-sale
(POS) data, credit card purchase information, preferred customer account
information, rewards account information, etc.) provided by a sponsor and
provide
the sponsor access to this mapped data for the purpose of planning and
organizing a targeted distribution of sponsor-specific hardcopy media. As
such, an
individual or company seeking to sponsor a distribution of hardcopy
promotional
materials to potential new and repeat customers may use the system 10 to plan
and coordinate a targeted carrier distribution thereof through individual
and/or
cooperative media distribution and delivery strategies (flyers, circulars, add
bags,
flyer bundles, etc.).
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In addition, when optional QC services are selected, the sponsor may also have
access to QC data. Such QC data, discussed further hereinbelow, may comprise,
for example, recorded geographic positions (e.g. GPS waypoints) of supervisory
distribution spot-checks certifying the delivery of the relevant hardcopy
media at
5 various delivery locations along a distribution route and, the recorded
geographic
tracking (e.g. GPS tracking log) of the supervisor's visual inspection route
taken
between such spot-checks indicating segments of the distribution route
visually
monitored thereby between each recorded position. This QC data can be used for
example, for providing a mapped visual QC of a given distribution project,
10 tabulated QC data sheets identifying verified deliveries on various
distribution
routes in a given area or for a given project, consolidated and customizable
QC
reports for verifying a QC efficiency and completeness, and other such
products
and services available and of interest for both internal and external QC
control
practices.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2A, the host system 12 is generally comprised
of a
communication bus or network 26 linking a number of system components
comprising: a CPU or processor 28; input devices 30 such as a keyboard, mouse
and the like; output devices 32 such as printers, display screens and the
like;
storage devices 34 such as hard drives and the like for storing data in
various
databases, data repertories and the like; and, an optional computer readable
storage reader 36 and associated computer readable storage media 38 (CD-R,
CD-RW, DVD-R, etc.) for uploading data into the host system 12 and storing
data
therefrom. The host system 12 is further comprised of a working memory 39 from
which is run an operating system (OS) and graphical user interface program
(GUI)
40, a Web mapping and QC application program(s) 42 for providing registered
users access to the Web services through dedicated Websites stored and
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maintained by the host system 12, as well as a number of other programs 44
directly or indirectly relevant to the Web mapping and QC system 10 and
services.
As presented hereinabove, a Web server 20 and an associated external
communication device and interface 22 are also included in the host system 12
to
communicate with the end terminal devices 16 and operatively link the Web
clients
24 thereof to the Web services provided by the system 10. Other communication
devices and interfaces, as in 22, may also be included to locally or remotely
communicate with the host system 12, namely to upload QC data thereto from a
remote QC device 14.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2B, the remote QC device 14 is generally
comprised of a positioning device 45 for acquiring QC positions (e.g. GPS
coordinates, cellular network triangulation coordinates, etc.) and a data
recording
medium 47 for recording QC data related thereto (coordinates, time, location,
distribution info., etc.). In particular, the remote QC device 14 is
illustratively
comprised of a communication bus 46 linking a number of device components
comprising: a CPU or processor 48; input and output devices 50 such as a
keypad, scrolling and navigating devices, printers, display screens, removable
storage devices and the like; storage devices 52 such as hard drives and the
like
for storing data in various databases, data repertories and the like; and, a
GPS
receiver 54 or other such positioning device for acquiring geographic
positions
during a QC process (presented further hereinbelow).
Still referring to Figures 1 and 2B, the QC device 14 is further comprised of
a
working memory from which is run an OS and GUI program 56 and other
application programs useful in acquiring, storing and transferring QC data. A
communication device and interface 58 is also provided to transfer QC data
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acquired and recorded in the device 14 to the host system 12. For example, QC
data may be transferred between the QC device 14 and host system 12 through a
direct communication link 59 or again via a wireless or landline communication
network, as in 18. Alternatively, the QC data may be downloaded from the QC
device 14 to an external computing device (not shown) and forwarded thereby to
the host system 12 via e-mail, ftp or any other known or proprietary data
transfer
protocol.
As will be discussed further hereinbelow, the present embodiment considers the
use of a GPS device as a suitable remote QC device 14 to provide the QC
services and options presented herein. For instance, geographic positioning
data
may be coded using waypoint labels and the like to provide all necessary
information for the implementation of the present QC system. A person of skill
in
the art will understand that other devices may be used to provide positioning
information through various known methods without extending the scope of the
present disclosure. Further, a GPS receiver may be linked directly to a number
of
data entry and storage terminals, such as a laptop or palmtop computer to
provide
further data entry and processing options. QC data may also be communicated
directly to the host system 12 via various wireless communication means to
skip
any data uploading steps and provide faster integration of QC data into the
host
system 12.
A person of skill in the art will also understand that the above description
of the
Web mapping and QC system 10 and, particularly, of the technical architecture
of
the host system 12 and QC device 14, may be altered without departing from the
general scope and nature of the present disclosure. Namely, although the host
system 12 is illustrated as a single entity, a collection of system servers,
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processors, storage devices and the like may be communicatively linked in a
local
or regional network to provide the Web mapping and QC services to registered
end users. Further, various landline and/or wireless communication networks
may
be encapsulated in communication network 18 to link the host system 12 and the
end terminal devices 16.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 3B, the system 10, as briefly presented
hereinabove, provides a user thereof access to mapped geographic, demographic
and optionally proprietary data of interest to the user and the user's
business. In
Figure 3B, such data is illustratively mapped (map M1) for a given
geographical
region within which the user wishes to augment business revenues generated
from one or plural business locations or stores in the area, as in 60.
To target a specific audience through targeted distribution routes, the
geographic
area may be subdivided in a number of ways, for example either arbitrarily or
using postal boundaries, census boundaries and the like. Note that the
following
exemplary mapping techniques and methods are based on regional and zonal
boundaries established by Canada Post and Statistics Canada for postal and
census purposes respectively. Similar postal, statistical and demographic
boundaries established in other countries by various governmental and private
agencies may also be used herein to provide similar results without extending
the
scope and nature of the present disclosure.
In particular, with reference to map Ml of Figure 3A, census data may be
provided
for a number of Forward Sortation Areas (FSA) as in 62 generally corresponding
to areas within which every dwelling is associated with the same first three
digits of
a Canadian postal code. For instance, map Ml illustrates FSAs wherein all
postal
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codes begin with either H9H, H9G, H9R, etc. However useful for the mass
mailing
of hardcopy media, FSAs may not provide sufficiently targeted audiences for
the
targeted hand delivery of promotional materials. Namely, a given FSA may be
comprised of between 5000 and 7000 households representing a variety of
population demographics that may or may not all be of interest to a given
sponsor
wishing to sponsor a targeted distribution of hardcopy media.
However, census data is also provided for a number of Dissemination Areas (DA)
as in 64, defined by Statistics Canada as the smallest census area within
which
demographic data is gathered and consolidated. These areas are generally
comprised of 150 to 300 households and correspond well to an area covered by a
carrier for the hand distribution of hardcopy media. However, these areas do
not
generally correspond to smaller postal code areas. Namely, full six-digit
postal
codes or local directory units (LDU) generally correspond to a single side of
a
street block and generally encompass 30 to 50 households in urban areas. These
areas may be too small to form a full distribution route and may provide too
narrow
a scope for planning a distribution of promotional media. These small areas
may
also be targeted using regular mail distributions.
Consequently, it may be beneficial to map potential/repeat customer data and
demographic data on these DAs as in 64 to plan and organize a targeted hand
distribution or promotional materials. However, though demographic data is
generally available for DAs as in 64, sponsor-specific data is often provided
as a
function of the mailing addresses, namely the postal codes, of the sponsor's
customers. To combine and map this data onto the DAs of interest, while
respecting public privacy laws, the present system 10 is adapted to map
customer
purchase information onto a DA as in 64 by processing the customer's postal
code
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using a centroid approach. That is, every postal code or LDU is attributed a
geographic position, identified by markers as in 65 in Figures 3A and 3B,
based on
a centroid or statistical center of every location or dwelling having this
LDU. As
such, every LDU can be geographically mapped within a single DA. Customer
5 information associated with a specific LDU can then also be mapped within a
respective DA as in 63 using this centroid approach. Since the LDU of the
customer is used, an LDU shared by a number of dwellings, and not the
customer's full address, personal privacy policies are respected.
10 Ultimately, using this centroid LDU-DA mapping method, the system 10 may
provide a sponsor access to a mapping of an average amount of money spent per
dwelling at one or plural retail locations 60, within each DA as in 64 of a
given
geographical region. This mapping may then allow the sponsor to plan and
sponsor a targeted distribution of promotional media to residents of DAs
within
15 which higher average spending is reported. For instance, an average
spending per
dwelling is mapped in map Ml for various DAs as in 64 using various shadings
or
colors, the darker ones of which indicating higher potential customer ratings
and
thus suggesting that a targeted distribution of promotional material should be
executed in these darker DAs.
Once the specific DAs as in 64 and distribution routes associated therewith
are
selected by the sponsor, distribution of sponsored media may take place to the
targeted areas. If selected, QC data may also be recorded and access thereto
provided to the sponsor.
A person of skill in the art will understand that although the above
concentrates on
an LDU-DA mapping method, other regional and/or zonal mapping methods may
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also be used. Further, other regional and/or zonal mapping boundaries and
areas
defined in Canada and/or in other countries may also be considered to delimit
possible distribution routes and areas (e.g. US census blocks and block
groups,
Canadian census enumeration areas, zip code-specific areas, etc.).
Referring now to Figures 2A, 2B and 4, a flow chart illustrating the various
steps
taken by the distributor and sponsor in preparing and executing a targeted
distribution of hardcopy media is presented. In a first step 66, the sponsor
provides
the distributor data related to its customers, namely purchase histories
including
total spending, spending frequency, amounts spent per visit, etc. This data is
illustratively provided in a database or tabular format associating respective
spending histories with location information (e.g. LDUs) generally
representative of
a location of the customers' domiciles. Other data types, formats and contents
may also be considered.
Still referring to Figures 2A, 2B and 4, in step 68, the distributor processes
the
provided data with the Web mapping application(s) 42 of system 10 to cluster
and
map the data, illustratively using the centroid approach presented
hereinabove,
onto the various DAs (reference 64 of Figure 3B) within a geographical area of
interest to the sponsor. In particular, a representative value of the data
clustered
for a given DA may be mapped by associating a representative semaphore
thereto, a semaphore being defined herein as an entity for conveying
information
by means of a visual signal such as an icon, a color, a shading, a marker and
the
like, and placing the representative semaphore at a location of the given DA
on the
map of the area.
In step 70, the distributor provides the sponsor access to the mapped data via
the
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host system 12. In step 72, the sponsor and distributor cooperatively plan,
based
on the mapped data and a target audience, a targeted distribution of hardcopy
advertising material along distribution routes delimited by the DAs of
interest. In
step 74, the distributor proceeds in delivering the sponsored media according
to
plan. If selected, in step 76, the distributor also proceeds with a QC
procedure of
the distribution, described further hereinbelow, acquiring QC data therefor
using
QC device 14 and providing the sponsor access to this QC data in step 78,
again
via host system 12. The sponsor may then chose to proceed with subsequent
distributions based on the same initial market analysis or provide updated
data to
the distributor to plan a new distribution strategy.
Referring now to Figures 2A, 2B, 4 and 5, the QC procedure, that is step 76 of
Figure 4, will be presented in greater detail. As presented above with
reference to
Figure 4, once the targeted distribution has been planned by the sponsor and
distributor in step 72, distribution of the sponsor-specific hardcopy media
may
begin (step 74). In order to implement the QC procedure and record QC data
therefor in step 76, a supervisor travels along various segments of the
planned
distribution routes, either during or after the planned distribution, to
perform a
typically visual check for the distributed media along the route and perform
occasional recorded spot-checks at various pre-selected or random delivery
locations along the route. For instance, if the hardcopy media is delivered in
the
form of flyers and/or add-bags distributed on the doorsteps, door handles or
residential mailboxes of the various houses on the planned distribution
routes,
then a supervisor may perform a visual check of distributed media by traveling
by
foot or by car along the route. To verify the delivered contents and certify
the
delivery of a sponsor's controlled media at various pre-selected and/or random
delivery locations along the route, particularly when plural advertising
materials are
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distributed together at a same time (add bundles, add-bags, flyer bundles,
etc.),
the supervisor may formally verify the delivered contents and record, when
applicable, the verified presence of the controlled media at each location.
With particular reference to Figures 1 and 5, the supervisor, in step 76,
travels
along a given distribution route carrying the QC device 14, in this exemplary
embodiment illustratively a GPS enabled device. At step 80, the supervisor
stops
at a selected delivery location along the route and, if a controlled object
has been
delivered at the location, acquires a geographic position (e.g. GPS position)
for the
selected location using the GPS receiver 54 of QC device 14 which is
correlated
with the controlled object either by default or through an appropriate code.
At step
82, the supervisor records and labels the position in the QC device 14 to
identify a
positive delivery status of the controlled object at the selected location.
Illustratively, the geographic position and positive delivery status of the
selected
location are recorded in the storage device 52 of the QC device 14 by storing
a
labeled waypoint therein, the label of which identifying the presence of the
controlled object at the stored position and optionally (step 84), identifying
other
geographic, demographic and/or delivery information such as civic address,
street
name, supervisor code, etc. As such, the labeled waypoint can be later used to
identify a delivery status, GPS position, GPS time and other such QC
information
for the selected location.
Note that in a particular embodiment, the nature or identification of the
controlled
objects is correlated with the labeled waypoints by default, that is only
labeled
waypoints related to a particular type of controlled objects is being
collected.
Alternatively, the labeled waypoints of different controlled objects could be
collected and differentiated using a code or the like. In still another
particular
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embodiment, the identification of the controlled object could be printed or
otherwise be in a format (such as bar codes or RFID tags) scanable by a
suitably
equipped QC device 14.
For example, a waypoint label associated with a positive delivery status at a
location having for address 216 Main street, may be coded as follows: 216SN.
This label identifies the particular sponsor by an acronym for the name of its
business (SN=Store Name) and identifies the civic address 216. The GPS
position
and GPS time are also automatically associated with the stored waypoint in the
QC device's storage device 52. As such, when the waypoint is ultimately mapped
(discussed further hereinbelow), the sponsor may access the position, time and
address of the waypoint. In addition, since street names are generally present
on
the map, the full address of the delivery is known from the waypoint
information
without needing to include the street name in the waypoint label.
A person of skill in the art will understand that other waypoint label coding
may be
used without departing from the general scope and nature of the present
disclosure. For instance, if the delivery of plural objects are being
controlled in a
single QC step, a code identifying the presence of all controlled objects may
be
entered instead of using individual store and/or sponsor codes. Alternatively,
a
waypoint may be generated for each controlled object. Other coding methods may
also be used to include a number of additional information related to the
controlled
location, as illustrated in step 84. As presented hereinabove, other options
for
storing location and positioning information may also be considered using
alternative QC devices and device combinations (GPS/laptop, GPS/palmtop,
etc.).
Hand written and/or electronic notes stored in a separate data recording
medium
(notepad, laptop, palmtop, etc.) may also be recorded at the locations and
later
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entered into the host system 12 to be associated with the recorded QC data.
Once the waypoint is stored with an appropriately coded label, the supervisor
may
proceed, in step 86, to acquire more data points at other delivery locations
along
5 the route or along other distribution routes in the area, thus returning to
step 80.
Optionally, the supervisor may acquire a tracking or GPS track log, at step
88,
between each controlled location. In practice, as stated hereinabove, the
supervisor may visually verify the presence of delivered objects by traveling
by
10 foot, by car or by any other transportation means, along the controlled
distribution
routes. This option thus provides a positional tracking of the supervisor's
visual QC
path along various controlled segments of the controlled distribution routes
that
may ultimately be mapped to illustrate a visual QC of distributed objects
along
these segments. As such, by certifying through recorded waypoints the presence
15 of delivered objects at selected locations along a given route and by
providing a
recorded QC path between these locations on which a visual QC procedure was
implemented, a valuable QC evaluation of the planned distribution is obtained.
In step 90, when all data waypoints and optional tracking logs are acquired
for a
20 given QC outing, the supervisor may upload the acquired QC data into the
host
system 12. As stated hereinabove with reference to Figure 1, the data may be
uploaded from the QC device 14 via its communication device and interface 58
when linked either to a dedicated and/or public communication network, as in
18,
or again via a direct communication link 59. For example, QC data could be
uploaded to the host system's storage device(s) 34 via landline and/or
wireless e-
mail, Internet uploads, ftp or other such data transfer protocols available
through
network 18. Alternatively, data may be directly uploaded using a direct link
59 that
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
21
may include, but is not limited to, a USB link, a serial link, a wireless IR
link, and
other such direct communication links. Uploads using intermediary
communication
devices may also be considered.
Once the data has been uploaded to the host system's storage device(s) 34, it
may be processed and mapped, in step 92, by the host's CPU(s) 28 and Web
mapping and QC application(s) 42 combining the QC information stored in the
waypoint labels with their respective GPS position, time, etc. Additional
information
stored in the host's storage device(s) 34 may also be associated with each
location at this point if such information is available. This information may
include
route information, demographic and/or geographic information related to the DA
and/or FSA within which the waypoint was taken, customer information extracted
from sponsor-specific customer information databases and associated with the
civic address stored in the waypoint label such as LDU purchase history,
statistics
and the like, and other such information.
In addition, the Web mapping and QC application(s) 42 may also be used to
extrapolate a respective geographical region (e.g. DA, FSA, etc.) within which
each QC was recorded. As such, QC reports identifying within which region
hardcopy media distributions have been verified can be generated
automatically.
For instance, the geographic coordinates of a given QC waypoint may be
associated automatically with a given DA encompassing these coordinates. Since
each DA illustratively corresponds in the present embodiment to a single
distribution route, a report may be generated identifying which DA, and
thereby
which distribution route, has be controlled by the distributor. Accordingly, a
report
may also be generated identifying a fraction of distribution routes verified
for a
given area, namely a given FSA. For example, if QC waypoints have been
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
22
recorded on 72% of all distribution routes within a given FSA, a report
identifying
this result may be automatically generated from the QC data stored on the host
system 12. These and other such reports may be generated weekly, monthly,
quarterly or annually to provide both an internal and external QC assessment
of a
given distribution project. These reports may also be customized based on a
number of QC parameters set to qualify and quantify QC requirements and
reporting procedures (e.g. number of required QC waypoints for a given route,
number of QC waypoints per dwelling in a given zone, frequency of QC checks
for
a given project, etc.). Furthermore, since the data used in generating these
reports
was acquired directly from a remote QC device, as in 14, such as a GPS device,
the present QC procedure and reporting system benefits from enhanced
automation and transparency.
A person of skill in the art will understand that other such logical data
links and
associations, usable for instance in generating various alternative QC mapping
and reporting products and services, may be processed and established by the
host's CPU(s) 28 by implementing instructions stored and maintained by the Web
mapping and QC application(s) 42 and other related database management and
processing algorithms stored in the host system 12.
In step 94, the mapped data is displayed, again using the host's CPU(s) 28 and
Web mapping and QC application(s) 42, on printed and/or screen maps generated
with the host's output device(s) 32, and/or on printed and/or screen maps
generated by a client 24, and an associated client output device, having
access to
the data via the host's Web server 20. The raw data and various reports
generated
therefrom may also be displayed via a local or remote display/printer.
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
23
Referring now to Figures 2A and 6, the Web mapping and QC application(s) 42
will now be described in greater detail. Generally, the application(s) 42 is
adapted
to communicate with various databases and/or data repertories maintained on
the
host's storage device(s) 34 to access, cluster and/or format various data
entries
therein for the purpose of mapping and displaying the data and, ultimately
make
the formatted data accessible to the sponsor of a given distribution project.
In
particular, the application(s) 42 processes, clusters, interlinks and maps a
number
of demographic and/or sponsor-specific data using various data aggregation and
clustering methods (data centroids, weighted averaging, etc.) and various geo-
mapping techniques, often commonly referred to using the umbrella term
geomatics, in order to display this data and optionally provide interactive
Web
maps linking mapped objects and markers with further tabulated geographic,
demographic and/or sponsor specific data stored and maintained by the host
system 12.
In a first step 96, the application(s) 42 accesses geographic, demographic
and/or
sponsor-specific data for a given geographic area from the host's storage
device(s) 34. Based on a number of selected mapping and/or clustering
parameters selected by the sponsor and/or distributor, such parameters
including,
but not limited to, data aggregation parameters (DA, FSA, LDU, area codes,
etc.),
statistical data analysis techniques (centroid, weighted averaging, etc.),
data types
(customer purchase history, census demographics, etc.), and the like, the
application(s) 42 provides instructions, in step 98, to be implemented by the
CPU(s) 28 to compute statistical data for each selected area. For instance,
this
may include computing average customer spending at a given commercial location
per dwelling within a given DA, FSA, etc, tabulating average demographics for
selected areas, and other such clustered information of potential interest to
the
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
24
sponsor.
Once the data has been clustered for the selected areas, the clustered data is
mapped using a number of representative semaphores, in step 99, and
operatively
linked to the selected areas and/or distribution zones/routes. In practice
this may
be implemented by generating a logical link or pointer between the clustered
data
and representative semaphore associated with a given distribution area (DA,
FSA,
etc.) and geographic positions associated with this same area, all of which
being
stored on the host's storage device(s) 34, such that a mapping of the
clustered
data is layered onto the given distribution area using the geographic
positions
associated therewith via the representative semaphores. Other data mapping,
layering and/or aggregation techniques should be apparent to a person of skill
in
the art.
In step 100, the mapped data is displayed, in accordance with a number of user
options and preferences, using local printers and displays and/or remote
client
printers and displays having access to the data via the Web server 20.
When QC services are selected, the application(s) 42 also provides a number of
QC instructions to be implemented by the CPU(s) 28 in order to process and
display the acquired QC data discussed hereinabove with reference to Figures 4
and 5. In step 102, the QC data (waypoints, tracking logs, etc.) is accessed
from
the host's storage device(s) 34 for processing. In step 104, a positive
delivery
status marker is attributed to each QC location identified by a stored
waypoint.
Depending on the format of the waypoint's label, QC information such as civic
address, customer info, and the like, is also associated with the attributed
marker,
in step 106, again using an operative link and/or pointer generated by the
CPU(s)
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
28.
If tracking logs are available, the application(s) 42 will also instruct the
CPU(s) 28,
in step 108, to attribute positive tracking markers to each tracking position
5 identified by the tracking logs. If available, geographic and/or demographic
information associated with these tracking positions may also be linked to the
attributed tracking markers via a logical link or pointer, in step 110.
Both the waypoint markers and the tracking markers may then be mapped/layered
10 in step 99 and displayed in step 100, providing logical links/pointers to
QC
information associated therewith.
In addition, as presented hereinabove, a number of QC reports and data sheets
may also be generated and displayed via a local and/or remote display/printer.
15 Logical data links between the QC data and related distribution zone
information
may be established and maintained by the application(s) 42 and used to
generate
various QC reports and track sheets to evaluate and assess the efficiency,
quality
and completeness of established quality control procedures.
20 A person of skill in the art will understand that a number of methods and
algorithms may be used by the application(s) 42 to cluster, map, link,
aggregate
and display the above geographic, demographic, sponsor-specific and/or QC
data.
Also, various techniques may be used to provide access to this mapped and
aggregated data to the sponsor of a given distribution project. In the present
25 embodiment, the data is accessed and displayed by a Web client 24 via the
host's
Web server 20. The following discussion thus provides, with reference to
Figures
3A, 3B and 7-12, examples of an illustrative Web site maintained on the Web
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
26
server 20 by the host system 12 and providing a registered sponsor access to
this
data.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 7, the Web services provided by the distributor
via
a Web site hosted by the Web server 20 may be accessed by a registered sponsor
using a Web client 24 in communication with the server 20 over the
communication network 18. To access the Web site, a login page 112 (Figure 7)
is
first accessed, for instance using a standard Web browser, requesting the
input of
the sponsor's username 113 and password 114. Upon successful verification of
the sponsor's username and password, the sponsor is given access to the
distributor's Web services. Other login procedures and/or user identification
and
verification algorithms may also be considered and should be apparent to a
person
of skill in the art.
Referring now to Figures 3A and 3B, once the sponsor is logged onto the
distributor's Website, the sponsor is presented with a number of mapping
options.
In this exemplary screen display, the Web site provides a number of
interactive
windows including a map window 116 displaying a selected map Ml, a legend
window 118 displaying a legend 120 associated with the map Ml, an information
window 122 selectively displaying various information associated with
interactive
objects displayed on the map Ml and, a layer control window 124 through which
the sponsor may select what type of information he wishes to view layered onto
the map Ml.
In the particular screen display of Figures 3A and 3B, the map Ml comprises a
regional mapping of potential customer data provided by the sponsor from their
current customer lists and clustered by the system 10. In map Ml, average
sales
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
27
per dwelling for each DA 64 in the region of a given store 60 is mapped using
the
centroid LDU-DA mapping approach described hereinabove. Consequently, DAs
displayed with darker tones represent DAs wherein high current customer sales
have been recorded. DAs displayed with lighter tones represent DAs wherein low
current customer sales have been recorded. Basic mapping features displayed in
map Ml include street lines 126, store location(s) 60, FSA boundary lines 130
and
identification 132 (H9R, H9H, etc.), DA boundary lines 134 and other such
geographic/demographic details.
The map window 116 is generally comprised of the map Ml and a number of
interactive icons for selecting various viewing and interactive information
features
of the Website. Exemplary icons may include:
zoom-in and zoom-out buttons 138 and 140 to respectively allow the user to
zoom in and out by clicking or by dragging a selection area on the map M1;
a pan button 142 to allow the user to click and drag the map Ml to pan to
another area;
a search button 144 to allow the user to search for various information
interactively linked with the map Ml and stored in the host system's storage
device(s) 34 (Figure 2A);
a ruler button 146 to allow the user to interactively measure distances on
the map Ml using a click and drag motion;
a legend button 148 to allow the user to selectively display the legend
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
28
window 118;
E-mail and print buttons 150 and 152 to respectively allow the user to send
the map M1 (or modified versions thereof) to a recipient e-mail client or to a
local printer communicatively linked to the end terminal device 16 (Figure
1);
an information button 153 to selectively open the information window 122
and make information requests within the map M1;
a layer control button 154 to allow the user to selectively display the layer
control window 124; and
an annotate button 156 to allow the user to make annotations on the map
M1.
In the exemplary screen display of Figures 3A and 3B, the layer control window
124, the information window 122 and the legend window 118 have all been
selected. In the layer control window 124, a Customer Location option 158 has
been selected such that the geographic location of customers, in this
embodiment
consisting of centralized geographic LDU position markers 65, are also
provided
as a display layer of map Ml.
Still referring to Figures 3A and 3B, to select information for display in the
information window 122, the user first selects the information button 153 and
then
interactively clicks on the map Ml an interactive object or region about which
information is desired. For instance, in the exemplary screen display of
Figure 2,
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
29
the user has clicked the map M1 within the area defining the DA 24662276
within
FSA H9R. As such, Web server 20 accesses demographic and/or clustered data
associated with this DA (161) and FSA (163) stored in the storage device(s) 34
of
the host system 12 and, using the Web mapping and QC application(s) 42,
displays this information in the information window 122. As a result, the
sponsor
gains access to specific data related to selected areas of interest.
Referring now to Figures 8A and 8B, a further exemplary screen display of a
map
M2 generated by the distributor's Website is presented. In this screen
display, a
Distribution 2005 option 162 has been selected in the layer control window
124.
This options allows a sponsor to view, for example, a current or suggested
targeted distribution area based on the mapped potential customer data of
Figure
2. In other words, areas (i.e. DAs) within which high customer sales were
reported
could be targeted in a current or future distribution of hardcopy advertising
media.
This allows the sponsor to view the general area covered by his sponsored
hardcopy media distribution and/or plan for future distributions.
In particular, the map M2 displays DAs selected or proposed for a targeted
distribution in a particular tone to be differentiated from DAs not selected
for the
targeted distribution. By selecting the information button 153 and clicking
within
one of the selected or proposed distribution areas, the sponsor may access,
through information window 122, distribution information 164 pertaining to a
planned or proposed distribution strategy for this area.
Referring now to Figures 9A and 9B, a still further exemplary screen display
of a
map M3 generated by the distributor's Website is presented. In this screen
display,
the sponsor has zoomed in to a smaller area of the map Ml of Figure 2 thereby
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
displaying in the map M3 of map window 116, a zoomed-in zone mapping of the
potential customer data. In this zonal map M3, street names 165 and DA numbers
166 (generally associated with specific targeted distribution route numbers)
are
now displayed. In the information window 122, the user has selected to view
LDU
5 information 167 associated with the specific LDU H9R 1M9 by clicking
directly on
the LDU location 65 associated therewith. This provides the sponsor access to
greater map details and information.
Referring now to Figures 10A and 10B, an exemplary screen display of a map M4
10 generated by the distributor's Website is now provided illustrating the
optional use
and display of QC data related to current distribution projects. In this
screen
display, the GPS Waypoints - Week of Nov 4 option 168 has been selected such
that QC waypoints recorded by a supervisor of the current distribution project
during the week of November 4th are displayed by interactive waypoint location
15 markers 169 on a QC layer of map M4. This allows the sponsor to view the
actual
locations of supervisory spot-checks completed by the supervisor to certify
the
delivery of sponsored objects at these locations. By selecting the information
button 153 and clicking one of the interactive location markers 169, the
sponsor
obtains, in information window 122, the date 170 the waypoint was recorded and
20 the civic address 171 at which it was taken. Since the street names 165 are
already provided on the map M4, the sponsor has the full civic address
associated
with the selected waypoint 169. FSA information 163 and DA information 161 are
also provided.
25 Still referring to Figures 10A and 10B, in addition an Annotation option
172 is also
selected herein to include on the map M4 an annotation marker 173 identifying
a
region of interest to the sponsor. Annotation markers may be added and the
labels
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
31
thereof modified by clicking the annotation button 156, selecting a location
on the
map M4 and entering, in an annotation dialog box generated by the Website (not
shown), label details to be associated with a new or existing marker.
Referring now to Figures 11A and 11 B, an exemplary screen display of a map M5
generated by the distributor's Website is now provided illustrating the
optional use
and display of QC tracking data related to current distribution projects. In
this
screen display, the GPS Tracking option 174 is selected such that a tracking
of the
supervisor's path during QC checks are displayed by interactive tracking
markers
175 on an alternative QC layer of map M5. This allows the sponsor to view the
actual path followed by the supervisor between supervisory spot-checks during
which a visual inspection of the distribution route was completed. By
selecting the
information button 153 and clicking one or plural interactive tracking markers
174,
the sponsor obtains, in information window 122, the GPS time 176 recorded by
the
GPS tracking log.
Using both the GPS waypoint and GPS tracking options illustrated in Figures
10A
and 11A respectively, the sponsor obtains QC supervision over the sponsored
distribution project and knows when and where the sponsored hardcopy media
was delivered. As discussed hereinabove, other QC data may be recorded, stored
and linked to the waypoint markers 169 and tracking markers 175 and made
accessible to the sponsor via the distributor's interactive Website. Also,
access to
QC reports and data sheets, as presented above, may also be provided via the
distributor's Web site. These reports may provide the sponsor with aggregated
and/or summarized QC data useful in evaluating an effectiveness and
completeness of established QC procedures. Other such products and services
may also be considered in the present context without departing from the
general
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
32
scope and nature of the present disclosure.
Referring now to Figures 1, 10A and 12, an exemplary screen display is
provided
illustrating a printable map M6 generated by the distributor's Website from
the map
M4 of Figure 10A. In general, the sponsor may select the print button 123, as
illustrated in Figure 10A, to print a displayed map. Automatically, the legend
120
and selected map (in this case map M4) are provided in a printable map window
178 and a print dialog box 180, generated by the Web client 24, is opened
allowing the sponsor to send the printable map to a local printer in
communication
with the end terminal device 16.
A person of skill in the art will understand that various other options and
screen
displays may be available to provide additional mapping and data services to
the
sponsor without extending the general scope and nature of the present
disclosure.
In general, the above system 10 and Web services provided thereby allow a
sponsor to visualize and plan a targeted distribution of hardcopy media using
a
remote Web client 24. Furthermore, since the system 10 is adapted to cluster
and
map demographic and/or sponsor-specific data onto geographic areas generally
sized to adequately delimit individual hand distribution routes, even when
such
data is not previously categorized using such areas, the mapped data is well
suited for the fine targeting of hardcopy media distributions and for planning
such
distributions using various targeted carrier distribution routes.
Also, the system 10 allows the sponsor to obtain QC data, again optionally via
Web client 24, such that the sponsor may supervise the sponsored distribution
project. Mapped location and tracking markers provide solid proof to the
sponsor
that the sponsored media has been delivered and indicates when and
specifically
CA 02528795 2005-12-01
33
where the deliveries took place. This QC data also allows for a thorough
internal
QC of distribution projects that is transparently made available for
inspection by
the sponsor of such projects.
Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific
embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled
in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined
in the
claims appended hereto.
