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Insurance Abstract
A method for applying for insurance for a product at a point of
sale is described. The method comprises obtaining an appraisal for
a product at a point of sale; a customer, in response to receiving
the appraisal for the product at a point of sale, compensating the
point of sale; completing an insurance application at the point
of sale; submitting, from the point of sale, the appraisal and the
insurance application to an insurance intermediary; and the insurance
intermediary, in response to receiving the appraisal and the insurance
application, selecting an insurance provider and submitting the
appraisal and the insurance application to the insurance provider.
Insurance Claims
1. A method for applying for jewelry insurance for a jewelry product
at a point of sale, the method comprising: generating an appraisal
for a jewelry product at a point of sale; receiving compensation
at the point of sale in response to receiving the appraisal for
the jewelry product at a point of sale; completing an insurance
application at the point of sale; submitting, from the point of
sale, the appraisal, the insurance application to an insurance intermediary;
selecting an insurance provider via an insurance intermediary, in
response to receiving the appraisal and the insurance application;
and submitting the appraisal and the insurance application to the
insurance provider.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the insurance provider,
in response to receiving the appraisal and the insurance application
and approving the insurance application, compensating the insurance
intermediary.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein completing the insurance application
at the point of sale comprises a customer providing payment information
and authorization for insurance.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: at renewal time,
the appraiser providing a current appraisal to the point of sale;
the point of sale, in response to receiving the current appraisal,
providing the current appraisal to the insurance intermediary; and
the insurance intermediary, in response to receiving the current
appraisal, compensating the appraiser for the current appraisal.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: at renewal time,
the appraiser providing a current appraisal to the insurance intermediary;
and the insurance intermediary, in response to receiving the current
appraisal, compensating the appraiser for the current appraisal.
6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the insurance intermediary
submitting a current appraisal to the insurance provider and requesting
renewal of insurance for the product.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the insurance intermediary
submitting a current appraisal to the insurance provider and requesting
renewal of insurance for the product.
8. A method for applying for jewelry insurance for a jewelry product
at a point of sale, the method comprising: obtaining an appraisal
for a product at a point of sale; compensating the point of sale
in response to receiving the appraisal for the product at a point
of sale; completing an insurance application at the point of sale;
submitting, from the point of sale, the appraisal and the insurance
application to an insurance intermediary and an insurance provider
selected by the insurance intermediary; and submitting administrative
fee payment information to the insurance intermediary from the insurance
provider in response to receiving the appraisal and the insurance
application.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the insurance provider,
in response to receiving the appraisal and the insurance application
and approving the insurance application, compensating the insurance
intermediary.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein completing the insurance application
at the point of sale comprises a customer providing payment information
and authorization for insurance.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: at renewal time,
the appraiser providing a current appraisal to the point of sale;
the point of sale, in response to receiving the current appraisal,
providing the current appraisal to the insurance intermediary; and
the insurance intermediary, in response to receiving the current
appraisal, compensating the appraiser for the current appraisal.
12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: at renewal time,
the appraiser providing a current appraisal to the insurance intermediary;
and the insurance intermediary, in response to receiving the current
appraisal, compensating the appraiser for the current appraisal.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the insurance intermediary
submitting the current appraisal to the insurance provider and requesting
renewal of insurance for the product.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the insurance intermediary
submitting the current appraisal to the insurance provider and requesting
renewal of insurance for the product.
15. A system for obtaining insurance for a fine art or jewelry
product, said system comprising: a point of sale computer configured
to enable appraisal of a product and generation of an insurance
application for the product, said point of sale computer configured
to transmit the appraisal and the insurance application; and an
insurance computer configured to receive the appraisal and insurance
application and generate an insurance policy covering the product.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein said point of sale computer
enables updating of the appraisal of the product.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein an updated appraisal for the
product is based on updated wholesale price information for the
product and a markup percentage with respect to the original wholesale
price and retail price for the product.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein said point of sale computer
is configured to dynamically generate an electronic catalog including
one or more products selected from an inventory database based on
marketing data for at least one targeted customer.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein said insurance computer comprises
an insurance intermediary computer and an insurance provider computer.
20. At least one computer readable medium including a set of instructions
for execution on a computer, said set of instructions comprising:
an appraisal routine for generating an appraisal of at least one
of a jewelry product and an art product based on product information;
an insurance application routine for generating an application for
an insurance policy covering the at least one of a jewelry product
and an art product, wherein said appraisal and said application
are completed at a point of sale for a customer purchasing the at
least one of a jewelry product and an art product; and an insurance
approval routine for approving insurance coverage of the at least
one of a jewelry product and an art product and for generating an
insurance policy covering the at least one of a jewelry product
and an art product, wherein the customer receives the insurance
policy at the point of sale.
21. The set of instructions of claim 20, further comprising a catalog
generation routine for dynamically generating an electronic catalog
of at least one of jewelry products and art products from a database
based on marketing data for at least one targeted customer.
Insurance Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application cross-references U.S. patent application
"Method and System for Formation of an Electronically Definable
Catalog," patent application Ser. No. 09/841,876, filed on
Apr. 24, 2001, listing Ralph B. Cohen as the first-named inventor,
now abandoned, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. This
application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application
entitled "Method for Applying for Insurance at a Point of Sale",
provisional patent application No. 60/656,266, filed on Feb. 25,
2005, listing Ralph B. Cohen as the first-named and sole inventor,
which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention pertains to methods and systems for applying
for insurance at a point of sale. More particularly, this invention
pertains to methods and systems for applying for jewelry, fine art,
antique, collectables or coin insurance, or insurance for any product
that might have an insurable value, at a point of sale.
[0003] This invention also pertains to a method and system for
formation of an electronically definable catalog. More particularly,
this invention pertains to a method and system for formation of
an HTML electronically definable catalog.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Currently, customers who purchase jewelry must independently
obtain an appraisal, identify an insurance provider and apply for
jewelry insurance after leaving a point of sale. This process can
be inconvenient to the customer and subject the customer to the
risks of destruction, theft or damage of the jewelry during the
period when the jewelry is not insured. Thus, there is a need for
a method of applying for jewelry insurance at a point of sale.
[0005] An appraisal of an article of jewelry is generally required
in order to make an application for jewelry insurance on the article
of jewelry. Additionally, presenting an appraisal to an insurance
provider in a clear format that is uniform across all appraisals
performed by an appraiser can enable an insurance provider to efficiently
evaluate an application for insurance and to efficiently ensure
the replacement of destroyed, stolen or lost jewelry. Thus, there
is a need for a method of providing a consistent and uniform appraisal
format to an insurance provider.
[0006] Clear and uniform appraisals can be generated using software
programs. Unlike appraisal generated with the human hand, appraisals
prepared by an appraiser with the aid of software programs are more
likely to be generated in a consistently uniform fashion. Additionally,
the incorporation of a picture in the appraisal can make the appraisal
more precise as to the jewelry product being evaluated. The replacement,
repair, or payment for a lost or damaged jewelry product can become
more efficient when there is a visual component to an appraisal.
As such, there is a need for software which can generate clear and
uniform pictorial appraisals.
[0007] Software programs can also be useful to jewelers at a point
of sale in performing other customer-, sales-, and inventory-related
tasks. For example, standard paper catalogs or advertising materials
are typically created and printed for mass distribution or mass
mailing to potential customers. Because of the costs and time involved
in laboriously preparing such catalogs or advertising materials,
standard catalogs and marketing materials are generally aimed at
wide demographic groups, rather than tailored to meet the needs
of specific demographic subgroups or customers. For example, the
contents of standard catalogs may include an entire assortment of
products offered by a supplier or store, some of which may be irrelevant
to certain customers. Although standard catalogs and advertising
materials cost less if printed and distributed in bulk, the store
or supplier may be missing out on sales opportunities because of
the inadequate targeting of customers. For instance, the sheer volume
of the products and goods offered in some catalogs or advertising
materials may discourage customers from the bother of fully viewing
the catalog or may inhibit customers from finding a desired item.
The catalog or advertising materials may arrive at a customer's
residence or premises at an inconvenient time when the customer
is not seeking the goods or services offered. The customer may disregard
or dispose of the catalog only to later find that the catalog would
have been of use in the future. At other times customers may save
catalogs and be unable to retrieve them or find them because of
inadequate filing methods and procedures within a home or business.
Therefore targeting the interests of a customer becomes essential
for an efficient marketing strategy. Thus, for example, there is
a need for software which provides the ability to reduce inventory
of a supplier of jewelry by sharing such inventory in a cooperative
manner among one or more suppliers of jewelry, in particular. In
general, there is a need for software which can be used in performing
customer-, sales-, and inventory-related tasks. Further, there is
a need for software which can be used in performing customer-, sales-,
and inventory-related tasks that can optionally incorporate clear,
high quality, images.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for
applying for insurance for a jewelry product at a point of sale
is described. The method comprises obtaining an appraisal for a
product at a point of sale; completing an insurance application
at the point of sale; the point of sale, in response to obtaining
an appraisal for a product at a point of sale, receiving compensation
from a customer for which the appraisal was obtained; submitting,
from the point of sale, the appraisal and the insurance application
to an insurance intermediary; and the insurance intermediary, in
response to receiving the appraisal and the insurance application,
selecting an insurance provider and submitting the appraisal and
the insurance application to the insurance provider. Alternatively,
an appraisal may be generated without compensation.
[0009] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a method
for applying for insurance for a jewelry product at a point of sale
is described. The method comprises obtaining an appraisal for a
product at a point of sale; completing an insurance application
at the point of sale; the point of sale, in response to obtaining
an appraisal for a product at a point of sale, receiving compensation
from a customer for which the appraisal was obtained; submitting,
from point of sale, the appraisal and the insurance application
to an insurance provider and an insurance intermediary; the insurance
provider, in response to receiving the appraisal and the insurance
application, compensating the insurance intermediary. Alternatively,
an appraisal may be generated without compensation.
[0010] In a third embodiment of the present invention, a computer
program product for applying for insurance for a jewelry product
at a point of sale is described.
[0011] In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a device
or applying for insurance for a jewelry product at a point of sale
is described.
[0012] In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a method
for formation of an HTML electronically definable catalog is described.
[0013] In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a system
for formation of an HTML electronically definable catalog is described.
In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, a method for applying
for insurance for a jewelry product at a point of sale is described.
The method comprises obtaining an appraisal that has been generated
by an appraiser located at a location other than the point of sale,
such as at the insurance intermediary location, or alternately at
a central office for a group of related retail outlets, for a product
at a point of sale; compensating the appraiser upon printing the
appraisal at the point of sale; completing an insurance application
at the point of sale; submitting, from the point of sale, the appraisal
and the insurance application to an insurance intermediary; the
appraiser, in response to receiving compensation for the appraisal,
the appraiser compensating the software provider with some portion
of the compensation received for the appraisal if the software provider's
software was used by the appraiser to distribute the appraisal;
the insurance intermediary, in response to receiving the appraisal
and the insurance application, selecting an insurance provider and
submitting the appraisal and the insurance application to the insurance
provider.
[0014] The advantages of the foregoing include convenience to and
security for the customer, as applying for insurance for a product
at a point of sale alleviates the need for the customer to independently
obtain an appraisal, identify an insurance provider and apply for
jewelry insurance, and minimizes the risk of loss that is experienced
during the time when a customer's jewelry is not insured. The creation
and distribution of a pictorial database incorporating images, detailed
descriptions and values of jewelry products for sale, that can be
linked in a software program with a consumer purchasing one or more
of these jewelry products and produce for the consumer an appraisal,
can facilitate the purchase of insurance in the manner stated herein.
These and other advantages and features of the invention, together
with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like
numerals throughout the several drawings described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary system 100 in
which a method for applying for insurance for a product, including,
but not limited to, jewelry products, fine art products, antiques,
collectables or coins any product that might have an insurable value,
at a point of sale according to an embodiment of the present invention
can be performed.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method for
applying for insurance for a jewelry product at a point of sale
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2a is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method
for applying for insurance for a jewelry product at a point of sale
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2b is an exemplary illustration depicting a Virtual
Inventory Point of Sale user interface for generating a document
containing an appraisal at a point of sale when the jewelry product
is in a Virtual Inventory database that is accessible by the Virtual
Inventory Point of Sale Appraisal module.
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic flowchart illustrating
a method for applying for insurance for a jewelry product at a point
of sale according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of a device that can
perform a method for applying for insurance for a jewelry product
at a point of sale according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system for formation and
distribution of an electronically definable catalog via a communications
network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for formation of an electronically
definable catalog in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an inventory-sharing system
that may use an electronically definable catalog for incorporation
into an inventory-sharing file in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a method for sharing inventory among trading partners
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a data structure of an electronically definable
catalog in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a data structure of a viewer file that may contain
the electronically definable catalog of FIG. 9 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a data structure of an inventory-sharing file
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method for constructing a
viewer file containing the electronically definable catalog in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a method for extracting or reading
the viewer file of FIG. 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a reproduction of a black-and-white photograph
of the presentation of an electronically definable catalog in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary system 100 in
which a method for applying for insurance for a product, including,
but not limited to, jewelry products, fine art products, antiques,
collectables or coins any product that might have an insurable value,
at a point of sale according to an embodiment of the present invention
can be performed. FIG. 1 will be further described with regard to
a jewelry product as an exemplary case of the type of product for
which the system described in FIG. 1 can be employed.
[0032] The system 100 comprises an email server 16, one or more
points of sale ("POS") 10, one or more insurance providers
("IP") 45 and an insurance intermediary ("II")
35. As used herein, "point of sale" means a location from
which a jewelry product can be purchased. The POS need not be the
actual location from which the jewelry product was purchased. As
used herein, the term "insurance provider" means the organization
or person that underwrites and issues the insurance policy. As used
herein, the term "insurance intermediary" means the organization
or person that facilitates the insurance application process by
referring the customer to the insurance provider and compensating
the appraiser at the renewal of any insurance policy obtained by
the customer.
[0033] In the exemplary system, each POS 10 has at least one POS
computer ("POS-C") which runs software that is capable
of enabling a customer to obtain an appraisal, produce an insurance
application and transmit the appraisal and the completed insurance
application as attachments to an email. The email is directed to
an email address belonging to the II 35 or the IP 45. The POS-C
can also contain functionality for the following: receiving electronic
files from a scanner or other mechanical device that is capable
of receiving documents in paper version and converting the documents
into electronic files; faxing electronic versions of the appraisal
and the completed insurance application; uploading or downloading
electronic versions of the appraisal and the completed insurance
application to or from a website and/or database belonging to the
II 35 or the IP 45; and causing a printer to print paper versions
of the appraisal and the insurance application which have been produced
or retrieved on the POS-C 15. The POS-C 15 sends the email to the
email server 16 and the email server 16 sends the email to the storage
location corresponding to the email address belonging to the II
35 and/or the IP 45.
[0034] In the embodiment in which the appraisal and the completed
insurance application are faxed, they can be faxed to a Data Center
that can then forward the information to the II 35, which can then
forward the information to the IP 45. In this embodiment, the II
35 can record the transmission of the appraisal and the completed
insurance application using a program that can create a database
that records the customer name and contact information along with
appraisal value.
[0035] The II 35 and the IP 45 each have at least one associated
computer, respectively II-C 30 and IP-C 40, which is capable of
running software enabling the II-C 30 and the IP-C 40 to access
the appraisal and the completed insurance application sent via email
and to send and retrieve emails generally. The II-C 30 and the IP-C
40 can also contain functionality for the following: receiving electronic
files from a scanner or other mechanical device that is capable
of receiving documents in paper version and converting the documents
into electronic files; faxing electronic versions of documents,
i.e. an insurance policy or an appraisal and the completed insurance
application; uploading or downloading electronic versions of the
appraisal and the completed insurance application to or from a website
and/or database belonging to the II 35 or the IP 45; and causing
a printer to print paper versions of the appraisal and the insurance
application which have been produced or retrieved on the II-C 30
or the IP-C 40.
[0036] Connectivity 18 between the POS-C 15, email server 16, II-C
30 and/or IP-C 40 may include, but is not limited to, long range
wireless connections, short range wireless connections, and various
wired connections including, but not limited to, telephone lines,
cable lines and the like.
[0037] FIG. 1 is exemplary of an embodiment of the present invention
using email as the communication method; however, communication
between a POS 10, an II 35 and an IP 45 can be accomplished by any
number of methods which enables the content of documents to be communicated
from one location to another location, including, but not limited
to, uploading and downloading to or from internet websites, fax
transmission or by mail in the United States Postal Service.
[0038] In FIG. 2, an exemplary flowchart illustrates a method 200
for applying for point of sale insurance according to an embodiment
of the present invention. In the method described in FIG. 2, a customer
12 has purchased jewelry at a point of sale 10 and has decided to
begin the process to apply for insurance on the jewelry product
that has been purchased. The term "jewelry product" as
used herein, means one or more articles of jewelry including, but
not limited to, one earring or a pair of earrings, a necklace, a
pendant, a ring, a bracelet and/or a gem i.e. diamond, ruby, sapphire.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, in step 210, an appraisal is obtained
at the point of sale 10. The term "obtained" as used herein,
is the process whereby documentation associating the identity of
a jewelry product with its appraisal value is generated. In step
219, the customer 12, in response to the point of sale obtaining
the appraisal, compensates the point of sale 10 for the appraisal.
The point of sale 10 representative may or may not be an appraiser.
[0040] The appraisal value can be determined through any process
leading to the assignment of an appraisal value to a jewelry product,
including, but not limited to, using software which merges an appraisal
value that has been created by an appraiser in the past and stored
in a database before the time of purchase with information on the
corresponding jewelry product that has also been stored in the database
before the time of purchase; or causing an appraiser 11 to evaluate
a jewelry product and assigning the jewelry product an appraisal
value at the time that the jewelry product is purchased. The appraiser
can be located at the POS 10 (as shown in FIG. 2).
[0041] Alternately, the appraiser 11 can be located at a location
other than the POS 10 (as shown in FIG. 2a). As shown in FIG. 2a,
the appraiser can be located at a central location, such as at the
II 35, and can regularly perform appraisals for jewelry products
in the inventory of various POS 10, and can distribute the appraisal
to a POS 10 before the jewelry products are purchased at the POS
10. The appraiser can distribute one or more appraisals to all POS
10 to which the appraiser can communicate and/or to all POS 10 having
the appraised jewelry product in their inventories. The distribution
can occur by any method that allows a POS 10 to receive either an
electronic or paper appraisal. For instance, the appraiser can communicate
an appraisal at a single time or at different times to any or all
POS 10 to which it is connected by computer by transmitting an electronic
version of the appraisal to the website from which the POS-C 15
can download or by email which the POS-C 15 can retrieve. Alternately,
the appraiser can communicate an appraisal at a single time or at
different times to any or all POS 10 by sending the appraisal through
the U.S. postal mail, by fax or by other methods of communicating
information. As shown in step 209 of FIG. 2a, each point of sale
receiving an appraisal from the appraiser 11 can store the appraisal
in a system such as VI POS. As shown in step 226, the point of sale
10 can compensate the appraiser 11 each time that the appraisal
is obtained from the database in which the appraisal is first stored
when the appraiser 11 sent the appraisal to the point of sale 10.
[0042] Referring back to FIG. 2 in step 210, the appraisal documentation
can be generated, and therefore the appraisal can be obtained, through
any number of means that produces a document that communicates the
contents of the identity and the appraisal value of a jewelry product
to the II 35 and/or the IP 45, including, but not limited to, software
which can generate a formatted appraisal, a document produced by
hand, typed or generated by any word processing system. Further,
the appraisal document can be in paper or electronic format.
[0043] One exemplary software product which can be used to generate
appraisal documents is the Virtual Inventory Point of Sale module
("VI POS module") which is one of a suite of Virtual Inventory
("VI") software modules. The VI POS module can generate
an appraisal for jewelry that is either located within a VI database
that is accessible by the VI POS module or that is not located within
the VI database that is accessible by the VI POS module.
[0044] The VI POS module can generate an appraisal for jewelry
that is located within a VI database that is accessible by the VI
POS module by merging previously stored jewelry product appraisal
information with customer contact information.
[0045] For example, FIG. 2b is an exemplary illustration depicting
a VI POS user interface for generating an appraisal document at
a point of sale when the jewelry product is in a VI database that
is accessible by the VI POS module. At the startup of the VI system,
a VI operator can depress an Appraisal button and then depress an
Add New Appraisal button to arrive at the Add New Appraisal page
which contains the user interface shown in FIG. 2b. The Add New
Appraisal page contains a Customer Info tab 211, an Inventory Item
Info tab 212, and an Appraisal tab 213.
[0046] Selecting the Customer Info tab 211 displays a page containing
a user interface with fields that the VI operator can populate with
information pertaining to the customer receiving the appraisal.
As used herein, the term "fields" means spaces allocated
for information. A VI operator can populate fields through the use
of any number of methods including, but not limited to, selection
of text from pull-down menus or typing in text manually. Selecting
the Inventory Item Info tab 212 displays a page containing a user
interface with fields in which the VI operator can input or select,
via a pull-down menu, text describing the identity of the jewelry
product for which an appraisal is being generated. Selecting the
Appraisal tab 213 displays a page containing a user interface with
fields in which the VI operator can input or select, via a pull-down
menu, appraisal information. The VI operator can use a pull-down
menu to retrieve an appraisal value and other information that has
been pre-stored in the VI database. The foregoing method described
with reference to FIG. 2b is merely exemplary and the VI operator
can select the tabs, and populate the fields on each page that correspond
to each tab, in any order. Additionally, various fields can optionally
be left in an unpopulated state and an appraisal can still be generated.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2b, in order to generate the appraisal,
the VI operator can select the Customer Info tab 211 and populate
the fields with information pertaining to the customer. If the customer
is already in the VI database, the customer information can be retrieved
by selecting the customer's name from a pull-down menu associated
with the input location for the customer's name. The other fields
for which information about the customer is stored in the VI database
will be automatically populated as a result of selecting the customer's
name from the pull-down menu. If the customer is not already in
the VI database, the VI operator can depress the New button 218
and enter the customer's information. The VI operator can then select
the Inventory Item Info tab 212 and enter information about the
identity of the jewelry product being appraised or use a pull-down
menu and select information about the identity of the jewelry product
being appraised. The VI operator can then select the Appraisal tab
213 and enter appraisal information for the jewelry product. If
an appraiser has already appraised the jewelry product and the appraisal
information has been stored in the database, the VI operator can
use a pull-down menu to retrieve the appraisal information. If appraisal
information is not already stored in the database, an appraiser
can evaluate the jewelry product and populate the fields with information
such as the appraisal value. To generate the appraisal, the VI operator
can then depress the Print Item Appraisal button 214 or depress
the Save New Appraisal button 216 to generate the appraisal in paper
or electronic formats, respectively. The VI operator can abandon
the appraisal by depressing the Abandon New Appraisal 217 button.
To speed the process of writing the appraisal, a series of basic
templates can be selected with general information about a specific
product category. Information of a specific nature for the specific
product being appraised can be filled in by the appraiser thus eliminating
repetition of phrasing that is need to describe particular products.
[0048] The VI POS module can also generate an appraisal for jewelry
that is not within a VI database by having an appraiser evaluate
and input the appraised value and related information into the VI
POS module, capture an image of the jewelry with a device such as
a camera or any other device capable of capturing an image, and
merge the jewelry information with the customer contact information
in an appraisal document.
[0049] The appraisal generated by the VI POS module can include
various pieces of information, including, but not limited to, the
type of jewelry product being appraised; the type and weight of
the stone within the jewelry product; replacement cost of the jewelry
product; a short paragraph describing the jewelry product; and a
designated location for the appraiser 11 to sign and date the appraisal
document.
[0050] The VI software can also include functionality enabling
it to perform a host of other varied operations including, but not
limited to, functionality which allows the operator to maintain
customer personal and purchase-history information; print product
sales tags; maintain and track repair and jewelry-adjustment jobs,
maintain a pictorial inventory of jewelry, track and search inventory
and record sales; generate, deliver and/or print customized electronically
definable catalogs; encrypt jewelry price information, sales and
vendor analysis; facilitate inventory exchange with other VI software
owners; send emails that contain particular company brand information;
perform data compression, website administration or inventory tagging;
search the VI database and/or customized electronically definable
catalogs; operate VI over multiple databases; import or export of
data; perform system security for different classes of users; and
perform pictorial job bagging and file containment. Steps to operate
the VI software to perform these and other functions are described
in the Virtual Inventory Manual.
[0051] One exemplary function of the VI software is the ability
to create customized electronically definable catalogs. The electronically
definable catalogs can include functionality which allows for: personalized
messaging; direct transmissions to and from a website; presentation
of jewelry products and associated information; searching catalogue;
printing catalogue; making multi-media presentations; online or
offline displaying and/or viewing of jewelry product images and/or
text; displaying jewelry product images and text simultaneously
on the same page; creating thumbnail representations of jewelry
product images; creating customized catalogs for specific customers
or customer prospects based on data mining; enabling two or more
VI operators to send, receive and share data allowing items transmitted
from a sending user to be automatically incorporated into the database
of a receiving user.
[0052] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a system 500 for formation
of an electronically definable catalog and distribution of the electronically
definable catalog via a communications network 3600. A user interface
1000 is coupled to a database management system 1200. In turn, the
database management system 1200 is coupled to a storage device 1400.
The storage device 1400 may store at least one of a first database
1600, a second database 1800, and third database 1900. The database
management system 1200 is associated with a data processing system
2000.
[0053] The data processing system 2000 may communicate to one or
more customer terminals 4000 over a communications network 3600.
The communications network 3600 is comprised of one or more of the
following components: the Internet, an intranet, a public-switched
telephone network, a data packet communications network, and any
other suitable communications network.
[0054] A user interface 1000 is coupled to the data processing
system 2000 for entering a user preference, selection, or other
user input related to the formation and distribution of the electronically
definable catalog. The data processing system 2000 comprises a selector
2400 that communicates with an editor 2600. In turn, the editor
2600 may communicate with a communications interface 3200, a data
management interface 3400, or both.
[0055] The storage device 1400 may store marketing data or demographic
data, or customer specific data in a marketing database or a third
database 1900. The selector 2400 may be used in selection of a group
of one or more catalog entries from the first database 1600 based
on marketing data for at least one targeted customer.
[0056] The editor 2600 supports organization of a group of catalog
entries to form an electronically definable catalog. In general,
the electronically definable catalog can contain entries that are
targeted toward a certain customer group or targeted customer audience,
rather than all of the entries (e.g., the comprehensive scope of
entries) found in the first database 1600 or a general catalog.
The first database 1600 may represent all of the products or goods
which may be provided by a certain store, seller, or supplier.
[0057] Each catalog entry may include a visual component and a
textual component. The visual component generally comprises an image
of the good or product offered for sale. For example the visual
component may comprise a JPEG file, a TIFF image file, an MPEG file,
or another file for storing and representing the image. JPEG (Joint
Photographic Experts Group) refers to a standard data compression
technique for compressing an image file. MPEG (Moving Picture Experts
Group) refers to a standard data compression technique for storing
a digital video file. TIFF (tagged image file format) refers to
a format for storing bit-mapped images, which may represent color
or black and white images. Virtually any file format can be presented
within the catalog.
[0058] The editor 2600 can include a presentation module 2800 for
manipulating the presentation or appearance of the electronically
definable catalog in a desired manner in conformance with user input
entered one or more user interfaces 1000. Similarly, the augmentation
module 3000 can support a user's augmentation or addition of supplemental
data to catalog entries retrieved from the first database 1600.
The addition of supplemental data supports flexibility and customization
in the definition of the electronically definable catalog. In one
example, the user interface 1000 supports entry of supplemental
data or augmentation data from a user interface 10 to supplement
or vary the entries of an electronically definable catalog from
the entries available in the first database 1600. In another example,
the user interface 1000 supports selection of supplemental data
or augmentation data from a database (e.g., a marketing database)
in the storage device 1400.
[0059] The editor 2600 can organize an order in which the sorted
catalog entries appear in an electronically definable catalog. The
editor 2600 can comprise an augmentation module 3000 to augment
at least one of the sorted catalog entries within the textual data
7300 defining the product.
[0060] The editor 2600 can organize a group of selected catalog
entries into an electronically definable catalog. The data management
interface 3400 is coupled to the editor 2600. The data management
interface 3400 stores the electronically definable catalog in a
storage device 1400 (e.g., the second storage device).
[0061] The data management interface 3400 can support storage of
selected and edited entries as an electronically definable catalog
within the second database 1800. Although the database management
system 1200 and the data processing system 2000 are shown as separate
components in FIG. 1, the database management system 1200 and the
data processing system 2000 may be combined or integrated in an
alternate data processing system.
[0062] The data management interface 3400 may support retrieval
of the stored electronically definable catalog from the storage
device 1400 (e.g., the second database 1800) in preparation for
transmission of the stored electronically definable catalog in response
to the occurrence of a triggering event. The triggering event may
comprise one or more of the following: a customer-specific event,
a birth date of the customer, an anniversary of the customer, a
planned wedding of the customer, an upcoming celebration of the
customer, an upcoming holiday, and the expiration of a time interval.
A simple user request can trigger the compilation of an electronically
definable catalog, including the launch and delivery of the electronically
definable catalog within seconds or minutes of a user request.
[0063] The electronically defined catalog may be distributed to
a customer or a customer terminal via a communications network 3600
or via a storage medium (e.g., optical disk). The customer terminal
4000 may refer to one or more of the following: a personal computer,
a computer, a POS-C 15, a web-browser, an Internet appliance, a
client in a client-server network, a wireless communications device,
a web-access-protocol wireless communications device, and other
communications devices.
[0064] FIG. 6 shows a method 600 for distribution of an electronically
definable catalog via a communications network 3600 in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. The method of FIG. 6 can start
at step S10.
[0065] In step S10, a user selects one or more catalog entries
from a first database 1600 of catalog entries. Each catalog entry
may have a visual component and a textual component. The visual
component may comprise an image or image data of the good or product
offered for sale. The textual component may include product data.
The product data may include one or more of the following: selling
price, description, catalog number, quality, size, weight, color,
construction materials, composition, specifications, manufacturer,
trademark, manufacturer model identifier (e.g., model number), or
any other data that may be pertinent to a customer's purchase of
a good or product. In one embodiment, the first database 1600 of
catalog entries may include a general catalog of most or all of
the products or goods offered by a seller or a supplier.
[0066] In one example of step S10, a user may select a catalog
entry via a user interface 1000. The selector 2400, as controlled
by the user interface 1000, supports the selection of the entries
from the first database 1600. The selector 2400 may permit the user
to search the catalog entries of the first database 1600 based on
product attributes, such as product price, product identifier, product
description, or other product characteristics to develop a targeted
list of products that the user deems appropriate for one or more
targeted customers. For example, the selector 2400 may facilitate
selection of a group of catalog entries from first database 1600
based on the marketing data in the third database 1900 matching
or coinciding with at least one product characteristic that is potentially
preferred or sought by at least one targeted customer.
[0067] In step S12, the editor 2600 can support a user's editing
of the selected catalog entry or entries to provide a desired presentation
of the selected set of catalog entries. The editor 2600 can edit
the selected set of catalog entries through the selection or entry
of input data by a user via the user interface 1000 or otherwise.
The editing of step S12 may comprise organizing an order of presentation
in which the selected catalog entries appear in an electronically
definable catalog. In another example the editing may include augmenting
at least one of the selected catalog entries with supplemental textual
data defining the product. The supplemental textual data may include
personal data relevant to the targeted customer or audience. The
supplemental data may comprise presentation of the products in the
second language or a bilingual fashion.
[0068] In step S14, the data processing system 2000 can support
distribution of the selected set of catalog entries, which form
the electronically definable catalog. Step S14 may be executed in
accordance with several alternate techniques. In accordance with
a first distribution technique, the communications interface 3200
transmits the electronically definable catalog over the communications
network 3600 to at least one customer terminal 4000. For example,
the communications interface 3200 may retrieve a list of customers
from a database of the storage device 1400 and automatically broadcast
or transmit the electronically definable catalog to each customer
on the customer list. The members of the customer list may be selected
to coincide with the customer specific data, marketing data, or
other data used to select the catalog entry in the selection step
S10. Accordingly, the formation of the catalog and distribution
of the catalog may be coordinated to focus on a particular set of
targeted customers.
[0069] In accordance with a second distribution technique, the
data processing system 2000 can record or copy the electronically
definable catalog onto a recording medium for distribution via mail
or otherwise. The recording medium may include a magnetic disk,
a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, tape, or another
storage medium that may be readily mailed or delivered to targeted
customers.
[0070] In accordance with a third distribution technique, the communications
interface 3200 can transmit the electronically definable catalog
over the communications network 36 to at least one customer terminal
in response to the occurrence of a detected triggering event. In
preparation for distribution consistent with the third distribution
technique, the electronically definable catalog is stored in a second
database 1800 of the storage device 1400. In response to the occurrence
of a triggering event, the data management interface 3400 may retrieve
the stored electronically definable catalog from the storage device
1400 in preparation for transmission of the stored electronically
definable catalog. Further, the communications interface 3200 may
transmit the stored data from the second database 18 in response
to the occurrence of a triggering event.
[0071] The triggering event may comprise a customer-specific event
or another event, including one or more of the following events:
a birth date of the customer, an anniversary of the customer, a
planned wedding of the customer, an upcoming celebration of the
customer, an upcoming holiday, and the expiration of a time interval.
[0072] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a system 700 for sharing inventory
between trading partners in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The infrastructure of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 can be
generally the same except FIG. 7 can further include a remote data
processing system 4200 coupled to the communications network 3600.
Like reference numbers in FIG. 7 and FIG. 5 indicate like elements.
[0073] The remote data processing system 4200 of FIG. 7 can comprise
an inventory-sharing module 4400 to promote the sharing of inventory
or catalog entries between a first trading partner and a second
trading partner. A trading partner may include a supplier, a store,
a retail chain, a distributor, or a seller of a good or product.
The first trading partner may be associated with the data processing
system 2000, whereas the second trading partner may be associated
with the remote data processing system 4200. The first trading partner
and the second trading partner may be separated by minor geographic
distances (e.g., within the same metropolitan area, city, or state)
or great geographic distances (e.g., different cities or countries).
[0074] The data processing system 2000 can transmit an inventory-sharing
file (e.g., a viewer file 6000 that can incorporate an electronically
definable catalog) to the remote data processing system 4200 for
updating the data in the remote storage devices 5400. The remote
data processing system 4200 can revise the remote storage device
5400 (e.g., the first database 1600 within the remote storage device
5400) to contain a general catalog or first database 1600, which
represents a pool of common inventory that may be sold by the first
trading partner, the second trading partner, or both. Although the
diagram of FIG. 7 is simplified for improved understanding, the
update of the first database 1600 of the first trading partner and
the remote first database 11600 of the second trading partner may
be bi-directional, consistent with transmission of inventory-sharing
files in one or more directions between the data processing system
2000 and the remote data processing system 4200. Accordingly, the
data processing system 2000 may include an inventory sharing module
(e.g., module 4400) to facilitate such bi-directional updating of
the first database 1600.
[0075] Consistent with FIG. 7, the first database 1600 of the first
trading partner and the remote first database 11600 of the second
trading partner can both contain the common pool of catalog entries
to facilitate inventory sharing. The inventory sharing module can
support the updates of the remote first database 11600 of the remote
storage device 5400 to contain the pool of common custom entries.
[0076] In one embodiment, the inventory-sharing module 4400 includes
a catalog updater 4600 coupled to a data management interface 5200.
The catalog updater 4600 may include a validater 4800 and a formatter
5000. The validater 4800 may authenticate the genuineness or authenticity
of the inventory-sharing file or electronically definable catalog
received from the first trading partner via the communications network
3600. The validater 4800 represents a security measure to prevent
unauthorized tampering or corruption of the records within the remote
storage device 54 by an unauthorized user via the communications
network 3600.
[0077] The formatter 5000 may check the data structure of the received
electronically definable catalog or viewer file 6000 to confirm
that the received format complies with the defined parameters of
a reference format stored in or accessible by the formatter 5000.
If the format does not comply with the defined parameters the user
may be prompted via the remote data processing system 4200 or the
formatter 5000 may be configured to automatically reformat the inventory-sharing
file, or the electronically definable catalog integrated therein,
to be compatible with the storage and retrieval arrangement of the
remote first database 11600 within the remote storage device 5400.
The remote data management interface 5200 supports querying and
data storage and retrieval of catalog entries from one or more databases
within the remote storage device 5400.
[0078] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method 800 for supporting the
sharing of inventory between trading partners in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. Like reference numbers in
FIG. 8 and FIG. 6 indicate like procedures or steps.
[0079] The method of FIG. 8 can start with step S10 which can be
followed by step S12. After step S12, the method of FIG. 8 can continue
with step S16. In step S16, the data management interface 3400 of
the data processing system 2000, associated with the first trading
partner, can transmit the inventory-sharing file to a remote data
processing system 4200 associated with a second trading partner.
[0080] The remote data processing system 4200 may update at least
the remote first database 11600 or an inventory database within
the remote storage device 5400 based upon the transmitted inventory-sharing
file. Further, the remote data processing system 4200 may update
a remote database 11600 based on the transmitted inventory-sharing
file (or a catalog therein) after first validating the authenticity
of the transmitted inventory-sharing file and adjusting the format
of the inventory-sharing file to be compatible with the remote first
database 11600 or another database.
[0081] FIG. 9 shows an illustrated data structure 7000 of an electronically
definable catalog according to an embodiment of the present invention.
An electronically definable catalog generally can comprise a group
or ordered series of catalog entries. For example, the catalog entries
may include a first catalog entry 7200, any intermediary catalog
entries (a second catalog entry 7400), and an Nth catalog entry
7600, where N refers to the maximum number of catalog entries. The
maximum number of catalog entries may be commensurate with a maximum
file size (e.g., a maximum viewer file size) that may be stored
on a particular storage medium, a maximum file size that may be
transmitted over the communications network to a customer terminal
4000 within a maximum time interval (e.g., five minutes), or both.
The maximum file size may be proportional to the transmission capacity
of the communications network 3600 (e.g., the Internet) or a portion
thereof.
[0082] Each catalog entry (7200, 7400, 7600) may include image
data 7100 on a sales item, textual data 7300 on a sales item, format
data 7500. The sales item can refer to a good or product that is
offered for sale. The user interface 1000 may support the entry
of the image data 7100 in the form of an image file inputted into
the database management system 1200 for storage in the first database
1600. For example, the image file may be stored as a TIFF, an MPEG
file, a JPEG file, or another suitable data format. Similarly, the
user interface 1000 may support the entry of the textual data 7300
on a sales item. For example, the user interface 1000 may support
the entry of textual data 7300 on the sales item or a textual file
for one or more sales items. The user interface can support entry
or manipulation of the format data 7500 or other organizational
data.
[0083] In one example, the selector 2400 for the data processing
system 2000 retrieves the image data 7100 and the textual data 7300
as an entry or selection from the first database 1600 for formation
of an electronically definable catalog or viewer file 6000.
[0084] The editor 2600 may support a desired organization and format
of the textual data 7300 through user input entered via the user
interface 1000 of the data processing system 2000. The user interface
1000 of the data processing system 2000 may provide user input to
the presentation module 2800 and the augmentation module 3000 to
form format data 7500 and supplemental data. The textual data 7300
of FIG. 9 may include supplemental data as entered or otherwise
defined by a user.
[0085] In FIG. 10, an illustrative data structure of a viewer file
6000 is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The viewer file 6000 generally comprises at least an electronically
definable catalog. For example, the electronically definable catalog,
illustrated in FIG. 9, may be incorporated or integrated into the
viewer file 6000 of FIG. 10 as catalog data 6200. Further, the viewer
file 6000 comprises header data 6100, encryption data 6300, and
instructions or executable data 6400. The header data 6100 refers
to reference data or indexing data for at least one of the catalog
data 6200, the encryption data 6300, and the executable data 6400
that facilitates a processor's reading and processing of the viewer
file 6000.
[0086] The encryption data 6300 may scramble, encode, or encrypt
both the catalog data 6200 and the executable instructions. The
encryption data 6300 may be thought of as a shell that encapsulates
both the catalog data 6200 and the executable data 6400. The encryption
shell can be removed by the customer terminal 4000 by the entry
of a proper code, password, login identifier, or other verification
scheme.
[0087] Executable data 6400 can refer to instructions for displaying
or interacting with the electronically definable catalog at a customer
terminal 4000. The viewer file 6000 can generally be a self-executing
file that does not require additional software programs other than
an operating system to support it. Further the executable data 6400
may be configured to be compatible with multiple operating systems
or multiple versions of the executable data 6400 may be included
in each of the viewer files 6000 to support multiple platforms to
attain the widest possible dissemination of the electronically definable.
[0088] The electronically definable catalog may be distributed
via an electronic communications network 3600, or via an optical
disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or another storage media.
In one embodiment, the instructions provide self-executable code
that is compatible with one or more operating systems to promote
platform independence and broad interoperability on a wide assortment
of client terminals 4000 of divergent types.
[0089] FIG. 11 provides a data structure of a sharable-inventory
file 8000 that may be well suited for inventory sharing between
two or more trading partners in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The illustrative data structure of FIG. 11
can represent a modification of the data structure of FIG. 9 or
FIG. 10, for example. The data structure of FIG. 11 can use specific
textual data, called inventory-sharing data 6500, to support inventory
sharing among multiple trading partners. Like reference numbers
indicate like elements in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.
[0090] In one example, the inventory-sharing data 6500 may include
a product identifier, such an SKU number (e.g., a vendor-specific
product identifier) or a Universal Produce Code (UPC). The data
may also include the number of available items of a certain good
type that can be sold, the number of good items which are placed
on hold or already sold, the total number of items in inventory,
and the associated location of the inventory.
[0091] For example, both the first trading partner and the second
trading partner may have warehouses for storing goods. The first
trading partner may have a first warehouse with a first storage
location identifier and the second trading partner may have a second
warehouse with a second storage location identifier so that such
information may be provided within the data structure of FIG. 11
to facilitate sharing of inventory among the first trading partner
and the second trading partner.
[0092] FIG. 12 shows a method 1250 of forming a viewer file 6000
of FIG. 10 or another data structure in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. The viewer file 6000 can incorporate the
electronically definable catalog data structure 7000 of FIG. 10
as catalog data 6200. The data processing system 20 may support
the formation of the viewer file 6000 as shown in FIG. 12. The method
of FIG. 12 can start at step S20.
[0093] In step S20, the data processing system 2000 can get data
for the electronically definable catalog from a database (e.g.,
the first database 1600).
[0094] In step S22, the data processing system 2000 can build a
record for each item where the item represents a good or product
to be offered by the supplier or seller. The record may comprise
image data 7100 and textual data 7300. The record may also include
format data 7500 related to the image data 7100 and the textual
data 7300. In one embodiment, the records are stored in a suitable
binary format, although the records may be stored in other formats.
[0095] In step S24, the data processing system 2000 can write the
viewer file 6000 or assemble the viewer file 6000. First, the assembly
of the viewer file 6000 can comprise an extraction process in which
multiple records are assembled into a cohesive electronically definable
catalog or catalog data 6200 based upon marketing data or other
information. Second, the executable data 6400 can be appended onto
the viewer file 6000. Third, the encryption data 6300 can encrypt
the catalog data 6200 and the executable data, or both.
[0096] In step S30, the data processing system 2000 may append
a header to the encrypted, assembled viewer file 6000. Accordingly,
the viewer file 6000 can comprise records that comprise image data
7100 and textual data 7300 for each product or good and a header
that contains reference data. For example, the reference data may
define one or more of the following: the number of items in the
viewer file 6000, the overall size of the viewer file 6000, the
size of each item in the viewer file 60, the size of the executable
data in the viewer file 6000, the reference address (e.g., starting
address) of each item in the viewer file 6000, the reference address
(e.g., starting address) of the executable data 6400 or a portion
of the executable data, and other data on the overall catalog. In
general, the header record precedes the item record in the viewer
file 6000.
[0097] In step, S34, the overall size of the viewer file 6000 can
be determined and stored in the header of the viewer file 6000.
The overall size of the viewer file 6000 can be determined after
all of the items are selected by the selector 2400 or the data processing
system 2000 for inclusion in the catalog data 6200.
[0098] In step S36, the data processing system 2000 can write and
save the viewer file 6000 in a database as an executable file, such
as an executable file (e.g., an .EXE file in a windows environment).
[0099] FIG. 13 shows a method 1350 of extracting the catalog data
6200 or the definable catalog from the viewer file 6000 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The method of FIG.
13 may be carried out at a customer terminal 4000, for example.
The method of FIG. 13 can begin at step S40.
[0100] Starting at step S40, the customer terminal 4000 can determine
a viewer file size of a viewer file 6000. For example, the customer
terminal 4000 can read a viewer file size within a header of the
viewer file 6000. The viewer file size may be used to determine
an extractor size or an extraction address. The extraction size
may represent an address offset to indicate where within the executable
viewer file 6000 (e.g., the .EXE file) the records or catalog data
6200 are stored. Accordingly, the extractor address or the extractor
size provides address references within the viewer file 60 for retrieving
the entire catalog data 6200 or the appropriate items of an electronically
definable catalog. The customer terminal 4000 may decrypt the viewer
file 6000, prior to, during or after step S40.
[0101] In step S42 after the viewer file 6000 is decrypted, the
customer terminal 4000 can extract items of data from the viewer
file 6000 into a relational data structure (e.g., data arrays).
The items may be stored one by one into a data array, a table, a
relational database, or another suitable relational data structure.
The table may have fields for each item. Further, image data may
be extracted into a temporary folder defined by an operating system
of the customer terminal 4000.
[0102] In step S44, the customer terminal 4000 can support a communications
interface between the customer terminal 4000 and the data processing
system 2000 via the communications network 3600 or other resources.
The resources may include servers under the control or direction
of trading partners, or the like. The communications interface establishes
communications features, such as dynamic links or associations for
internet and e-mail shortcuts. The dynamic links may be saved as
URL files, for example. URL refers to Uniform Resource Locator,
which is a global address for documents and other resources accessible
through the Internet. The first part of the URL defines a protocol
to be used and a second part specifies an Internet protocol (IP)
address or the domain name where the resource is located.
[0103] In step S46, the electronically definable catalog can be
extracted from the viewer file 1000 and assembled. The electronically
definable catalog can be assembled by extracting the images from
the temporary folder and associating the item data from the arrays
to form a presentation in a desired presentation format. USWG item
information can support the desired format of the display. USWG
refers to user services working group of the internet engineering
task force (IETF).
[0104] In step S48, the client terminal 4000 can destroy or authorize
overwriting of the temporary files created during the extraction
process for reading of the viewer file 6000.
[0105] FIG. 14 shows an illustrative arrangement 1450 of an electronically
definable catalog as it might be displayed to a user on a customer
terminal 4000 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 14, nine items, or products, are shown, although
in other embodiments any number of items may be shown on a single
page or within an electronically definable catalog. Similarly, the
presentation of FIG. 14 can comprise items that are related to jewelry
goods, although the method and system of this invention is applicable
to virtually any product, good or item.
[0106] The images shown in the example of FIG. 14 may be carried
out by the employment of JPEG files, TIFF files, image bitmaps,
or image data to provide color or black-and-white representations
of the product or good offered for sale. Each catalog item may include
textual data, such as an item number and a price, along with a description
of the item, or other textual data. As shown in FIG. 14, the textual
data can be located beneath each of the images of an item and the
price and part or model number are shown in bold.
[0107] Certain data shown on the representation of FIG. 14 can
be supplemental data that may be provided by the augmentation module
3000. For example, such supplemental data may include a company
logo, for example, which may be located at the top of a page, the
address, phone number, fax number or other email information about
a supplier. Although the elements are arranged as shown in FIG.
14, the editor 2600 can comprise a presentation module 2800 and
an augmentation module 3000 for customizing the presentation of
the electronically definable catalog to select the preferences of
the salesperson or user preparing the electronically definable catalog.
[0108] The contents of the electronically definable catalog may
be based upon marketing data or customer-specific data gained through
previous customer contacts with customers, purchased from marketing
agencies, or a latest governmental census. Demographics information
may include one or more of the following: residential address of
the customer, zip code of the customer, telephone number of the
customer, the income of the potential customer, historic purchases
of the customer based upon price, historic purchases of the customer
based upon frequency of the purchases or dates of the purchases,
types of items purchased, and any other marketing information. The
user may use such information to select the appropriate entries
or items from the general catalog to construct an electronically
definable catalog for delivery to the customer. Such customized
catalogs may be tailored to different demographic groups or otherwise
and sent via email, data packets, or electronic data messages via
a communications network 36. For example, the electronically definable
catalog may be distributed via the communications network 36 without
the expense of hiring printing companies, checking proofs of prints,
shipping and sorting and mailing such catalogs such that companies
using the method of distributing the electronically definable catalog
of the invention may save considerable amounts of resources and
funds that otherwise may be incurred through traditional assemblage
and mailing of catalogs.
[0109] Further, because the contents of the traditional catalogs
are changed after a certain lag time or delay, updates to the electronically
definable catalogs due to price fluctuations, especially in an inflationary
or volatile markets for goods may be updated on a regular or almost
instantaneous basis to remove the risk of the transaction from the
supplier, store, or seller. Such a risk is best understood by an
example where an existing catalog is outstanding and it is not possible
to economically or physically update the catalog in time to avoid
an imminent or a previous price increase in raw materials or the
price of the underlying product being offered via the catalog.
[0110] Another advantage of the embodiments of the present invention
is that the electronically definable catalog may be transmitted
to a targeted customer in accordance with a regular schedule or
based upon the occurrence of a customer-specific event, such as
marriage, anniversaries or birthdays. The ability to target customers
in such a manner may lead to increased sales and greater market
penetration than traditional methods which rely upon group numbers
of distribution of general catalogs at great expense.
[0111] Although the images in FIG. 14 represent still images, in
alternate embodiments, the images may represent multimedia images,
moving images, such as MPEG images, streaming video, streaming audiovisual
images, sales presentations or other formats. The format of the
image data or presentational data may be commensurate with the available
bandwidth of the communications network 3600 and the processing
capabilities of the customer terminal 4000 as well as the bandwidth
of the communications access of the customer terminal 4000. For
example, the bandwidth of the communications access may be related
to the maximum data rate of the link between the customer terminal
4000 and the communications network 3600 or the maximum data rate
of the physical or virtual channel between the data processing system
2000 and the remote data processing system 4000 via the communications
network 3600. Accordingly, the invention is well-suited for developing
as broadband services become more widely available to provide more
elaborate presentations as image data, moving image data, a multimedia
format, a streaming video format, or audiovisual presentation to
further gain the interest of customers.
[0112] The viewer file 6000 may include a provision for communicating
over email or otherwise communicating over the communications network
3600 to enter an order based upon the displayed electronically definable
catalog at the customer terminal 4000. Such an order may be completed
by a telephone call, a fax, or may be completed automatically via
entries and data messages sent over the communications network 3600.
The customer terminal 4000 may be provided with an interface for
selecting item numbers, item identifiers, quantities indicating
form of payment and shipment address, and other pertinent information
for ordering such goods and products displayed in the viewer file
60. At the point of a customer order, the user can touch the order
button and be presented with a form whereby the customer can enter
his/her name, address, phone number and credit card information.
Upon entry of credit card information, the credit card's numbers
can be encrypted. This encryption feature can eliminate the need
for a secure server as the information on the credit card is not
available to the Internet until after the order entry process is
complete. Once the order is completed it can be attached to an email
and returned to the issuing body for decryption and processing.
[0113] Besides supporting the sales side of a transaction, the
embodiments of the method and system of the present invention can
support an inventory sharing scheme between stores, suppliers or
trading partners. Trading partners may represent a network of distributors
that distribute common goods or even non-overlapping goods. Rather
than maintaining a large inventory, multiple trading partners may
share information about their existing inventory of goods or products
to reduce the expenses of storing the inventory in warehouses or
having unsold inventory on their books. Although the inventory sharing
is facilitated through an exchange of an inventory-sharing file,
the exchange may be modified to share an electronically definable
catalog or another data format, consistent with the principles of
the invention, while falling within the scope of the invention.
[0114] In embodiments of the electronically definable catalog,
sorting functionality can also be included which allows the entries
of the electronically definable catalog to be sorted according to
any number of criteria including cost or type of jewelry product.
[0115] Another exemplary embodiment of a method of creating a type
of an electronically definable catalog, i.e. an HTML electronically
definable catalog, is as follows. As used herein, the term "HTML
electronically definable catalog" means an electronically definable
catalog which can be accessed by a viewer from the internet or through
a shortcut placed in an email. The executable version of the electronically
definable catalog, described with reference to FIG. 13, can be included
in the HTML version allowing a user to save the electronically definable
catalog via download from the HTML version. A VI operator can retrieve
jewelry product data from a database which is accessible to VI.
The VI operator can then build an item record in VI for each piece
of jewelry product data that was retrieved. As used herein, the
term "item record" means a group of one or more fields
describing a jewelry product. For example, an item record could
include fields for information, including, but not limited to, jewelry
product data and an image of the jewelry product. The jewelry product
data could be stored in a binary format. The image of the jewelry
product could be stored in any format enabling an image to be stored
and later viewed. Next, the VI operator can build a viewer file,
which would primarily serve as an extractor of the information in
the fields of the item record. The VI operator can then append a
header record to the viewer file. As used herein, the term "header
record" means a record which contains fields to contain various
pieces of information including, but not limited to, the number
of item records built and the size of the viewer file. The VI operator
can then populate the fields of the header record with the relevant
information, including, but not limited to, the number of item records
built and the size of the viewer file.
[0116] The VI operator can write and save the viewer file and the
appended header record together as an executable file. The header
record of the executable file can be read to determine the size
of the viewer file. The size of the viewer file can be used as an
offset to indicate the beginning location of the item records.
[0117] The viewer file can then be used to extract the data in
the fields of the item record by extracting jewelry product data
into data arrays, and by extracting images of the jewelry product
data into a temporary folder.
[0118] The VI operator can build a shortcut which connects a user
of the shortcut to the data arrays containing the jewelry product
data. The VI operator can also build a shortcut which connects a
user of the shortcut to the temporary folder containing the images
of the jewelry product data. As used herein, the term "shortcut"
means a computer file that points to another computer file or computer
folder. Clicking on an icon that represents the shortcut will take
a user to the computer file or computer folder to which the shortcut
points. The shortcut can be saved as a Uniform Resource Locator
("URL") computer file which can be found on the internet.
[0119] The HTML embodiment of the electronically definable catalog
can be created in a directory on a personal computer or other storage
location and then uploaded to an FTP site on the Internet.
[0120] A user of the shortcut can build the HTML electronically
definable catalog by accessing the data arrays and the temporary
folder by clicking on the shortcut. The user can create the electronically
definable catalog by compiling, in VI software, jewelry product
data and extracting images of the jewelry product data.
[0121] After the HTML electronically definable catalog is created,
the VI operator can optionally destroy the temporary files in which
the images of the jewelry products were stored.
[0122] The foregoing description of the method and system of distributing
an electronically definable catalog and sharing inventory described
several illustrative examples of the invention. Modifications, alternative
arrangements, and variations of these illustrative examples are
possible and may fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly,
the following claims should be accorded the reasonably broadest
interpretation which is consistent with the specification disclosed
herein and not unduly limited by aspects of the preferred embodiments
disclosed herein.
[0123] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 2a, in step 215, an insurance application
is completed at the point of sale. Completion of the insurance application
comprises completing various inquiries on the insurance application
including, but not limited to, customer contact information, insurance
policy premium payment information, and authorization for insurance.
The insurance policy premium payment information can include information
for a credit card payment of the premium for the year, and authorization
to charge the credit card. The completion of the insurance application
can be performed in any number of ways, including, but not limited
to, inputting data into fields of an online insurance application
by typing on a keyboard that is connected to the POS-C 15 or printing
the insurance application from a printer that can be accessed by
the POS-C 15 and having the customer or other person at the point
of sale 10 complete the insurance application by writing, typing
or otherwise placing information in the various fields of the insurance
application.
[0124] In step 220 of FIGS. 2 and 2a, the appraisal and the insurance
application are submitted to an II 35 from the POS 10. The appraisal
and the insurance application can be transmitted to the II 35 by
any number of methods, including, but not limited to, email, internet
website, fax or United States Postal Service mail as explained in
the foregoing description of FIG. 1.
[0125] Referring to FIG. 2a, in step 226, the POS 10, in response
to obtaining and printing the appraisal from the appraiser located
at the central location and previously stored at the POS 10 in step
209, the POS 10 the location of the II 35, compensates the appraiser
11 upon printing the appraisal at the point of sale 10. The compensation
can take place at any time after the appraisal is printed at the
point of sale 10. Upon receiving compensation from the POS 10 in
step 228, the appraiser 11 can compensate the software vendor 38
if the appraiser used software from the vendor to transmit the appraisal.
[0126] The capability for an appraiser to generate a single appraisal
for a group of similar jewelry products e.g. a group of rings that
have similar mounting and near identical components, and send that
appraisal over a network using Virtual Inventory's exchange method
to provide the appraisal data to all databases within the network
so that any POS selling the jewelry product can produce an immediate
appraisal in response to a customer can be invaluable. Alternately,
the appraiser can appraise a single jewelry product that is unique
and distribute it within a network of stores where but the jewelry
product is sold in, for example, a retail outlet in a company network
of stores. Using Virtual Inventory's ability to share the appraisal
with any POS in a network enables the ability to the POS to have
an appraisal available regardless of where the jewelry article is
sold. This method creates an economy of scale that allows the appraiser
to provide an appraisal at a reduced cost making the appraisal and
ultimately the insurance more affordable.
[0127] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 2a, in step 230, the II 35, in
response to receiving the appraisal and the insurance application,
selects an IP 45 and submits the appraisal and the insurance application
to the IP 45. The selection of the IP 45 can be dictated by any
number of methods or criteria as deemed appropriate by the II 35.
For example, geographical location of the IP 45 and/or the premium
cost and/or coverage limits and policy deductibles might be criteria
that the II 35 uses to choose among one or more IP 45. The appraisal
and the insurance application can be transmitted to the IP 45 by
any number of methods, including, but not limited to, email, internet
website, fax or United States Postal Service mail as explained in
the foregoing description of FIG. 1.
[0128] The foregoing methods 200 and 200a and orders described
in FIGS. 2 and 2a are merely exemplary of embodiments of the present
invention and steps in other embodiments of the present invention
may be arranged in different orders and be aligned with the spirit
of providing a method of applying for jewelry insurance at a point
of sale.
[0129] In response to the IP 45 receiving the appraisal and the
insurance application, the customer can be given conditional coverage
by the IP 45. Notice of conditional coverage is not required. Binding
authority can be given by the IP 45 at the time of receipt of the
completed insurance application and the appraisal. Conditional coverage
can begin immediately upon receipt of the appraisal and the insurance
application if the appraisal and the insurance application were
transmitted by electronic methods such as email, uploading or downloading
to or from the website belonging to the IP 45 or fax. Conditional
coverage can be retroactively granted, upon receipt of the appraisal
and the insurance application, to the postmarked date on the envelope
containing the appraisal and the insurance application if the appraisal
and the insurance application were transmitted to the IP 45 by mail.
[0130] In response to the IP 45 receiving the appraisal and the
insurance application and approving the insurance application, the
IP 45 can compensate the II 35 with a commission for the insurance
referral. Compensation can take place by any number of methods.
Additionally, the compensation can take place at any length of time
after the IP 45 receives the appraisal and the insurance application
and approves the insurance application and need not occur immediately
upon receipt of the appraisal and the insurance application and
approval of the insurance application.
[0131] The IP can review the appraisal and the insurance application
and, upon approving the insurance application, can issue a policy
to the customer indicating the customer's insurance coverage for
the jewelry product. Notice of coverage is not required. Binding
authority has been given by the IP 45 at the time of receipt of
the application and the appraisal.
[0132] If the IP 45 does not approve the insurance application,
a notice of cancellation of the conditional coverage that was granted
upon receipt of the appraisal and the insurance application can
be sent either to the POS 10 or to the customer with a pro rata
refund of the payment that the customer made in the amount of the
conditional coverage that was given. Notice of cancellation of the
conditional coverage to the PO 10 or the customer and compensation
to the II 35 can be transmitted by any number of the foregoing methods
described in the foregoing paragraphs.
[0133] If the IP 45 approved the insurance application, at renewal
time, should the customer desire to renew insurance coverage for
the jewelry product that was insured through the point of sale jewelry
application process, the appraiser can provide a current appraisal
to the II 35 or to the POS 10. If the appraiser provides the current
appraisal to the POS 10, the POS 10 can then provide the current
appraisal to the II 35. The updated appraisal can be provided by
the appraiser to the II 35 and, when required, to the IP 45. The
appraiser giving the updated appraisal can then earn a fee paid
by the II 35.
[0134] The current appraisal can be provided in the form of a text
file showing the entire set of appraisals that have been updated,
the text file containing a list of all appraisals that the point
of sale has issued. The II 35 can check the contents of the text
file against a similar text file that the II 35 has access to that
includes all active insurance policies provided by the IP 45. This
process wherein the POS 10 sends a text file and the II 35 comparing
to a text file of all active insurance policies provide by the IP
45 is sufficient for receiving an updated appraisal until such time
as the IP 45 requires that the jewelry product be submitted for
examination to renew the policy. An automated updating procedure
within the VI software can keep the appraisal current.
[0135] In response to receiving the current appraisal, or alternately,
a text file indicating that the appraisal has been updated, the
II 35 can compensate the appraiser (which can be an independent
appraiser or the POS 10 representative) with an annual fee corresponding
to the annually updated current appraisal that is used for underwriting
the insurance policy. If an appraiser located at a location other
than the point of sale 10 produces the updated appraisal, gives
it to the point of sale representative and the point of sale representative
furnishes it to the II, the II 35 can compensate the appraiser for
producing the appraisal for the point of sale representative and
the II 35 can compensate the software company that an appraiser
may use to communicate the updated appraisal to the point of sale
representative.
[0136] The II 35 can request, from the IP 45, renewal of insurance
for the jewelry product. The appraisal used to underwrite the policy
has value to the underwriter and therefore the appraiser is paid
a fee to maintain the appraisals market valuation annually. The
appraiser can be the point of sale 10 or an independent appraiser.
The use of a software program that maintains a database of appraisals
can be used to update the values of the appraisals contained in
the database, over a given period of time, in an application designed
to group like components and raise or lower values according to
the current market conditions.
[0137] In certain embodiments, an individual appraisal and/or database
or other grouping of appraisals may be created and/or updated in
any geographical region to provide a current Retail Market Value
for replacing individual items of jewelry at retail replacement
costs. For example, a computer generated software program may be
used to provide a template for appraising articles of jewelry. The
appraisals may be written taking into account certain components
that make up the wholesale value of the article of jewelry being
evaluated in the appraisal. The retail market value of the jewelry
being appraised is an additional pricing component set by the appraiser.
[0138] When an appraiser begins the process of writing the appraisal,
the appraiser typically analyzes certain specific components of
the jewelry article and evaluates one or more qualities of these
components. As the grading of the article is determined, the software
assigns a monetary value to each component. The software is enabled
with data that is available either online or in printed publications
that determine wholesale values. This information may be entered
into the software's database in an automated fashion showing the
average wholesale cost for diamonds and gemstones. The program is
also capable of entering the current values of precious metals using
standard and/or custom formulas to determine the approximate cost
of the mountings into which diamonds and gemstones are set, for
example. The program may also allow for a cost for labor and additional
values for designer jewelry, for example.
[0139] When creating the initial appraisal, the appraiser enters
the costs of the components of the article of jewelry in the software
program and then adds the current retail market value of the jewelry
product. This markup is a formula that is some multiple of the cost
of the wholesale value of the jewelry article, for example. Different
geographical areas sell the same jewelry article for varying monetary
considerations, for example.
[0140] The value of the appraisal software is that it calculates
the wholesale prices of an article as a percentage of the overall
markup. When updates are to be generated for the appraisal, new
wholesale costs are entered into the database of jewelry appraisals.
The new wholesale price changes the cost structure of the jewelry;
the formula for the markup is calculated automatically and pricing
for the market is rendered for that article of jewelry. The method
for the markup is the percentage that the wholesale value is of
the total markup for the appraised valuation. For example, a jewelry
article is appraised for $12000. The wholesale cost of this piece
is $8000. The wholesale cost of $8000 divided into the appraisal
of $12000 equals 1.5%. If the wholesale value increases to $8400,
the automatic markup to retail would increase by 1.5% for a value
of $12,600, for example.
[0141] Using this wholesale pricing structure methodology, along
with the calculations based on the market the appraiser is advising
upon, this program may update a database of appraisals in aggregate.
The amount of time spent updating each individual appraisal is reduced.
By using the search engine in the software to isolate different
pieces of jewelry to account for anomalies in the market, a user
may adjust retail values accordingly.
[0142] FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic flowchart illustrating
a method 300 for applying for insurance for a jewelry product at
a point of sale according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the method, a customer has purchased jewelry at a point of sale
10 and has decided to begin the process to apply for insurance on
the jewelry product that has been purchased.
[0143] Referring to FIG. 3, in step 210, an appraisal is obtained
at the point of sale 10, and in step 219, the customer 12 compensates
the point of sale for the appraisal. The appraiser may be the POS
10 representative or an independent appraiser. The appraisal value
can be determined through any process leading to the assignment
of an appraisal value to a jewelry product, including, but not limited
to, using software which merges an appraisal value that has been
pre-stored in a database with information on the corresponding jewelry
product that has also been pre-stored in the database; or causing
an appraiser 11 to evaluate a jewelry product and assigning the
jewelry product an appraisal value at the time that the jewelry
product is purchased. Alternately, an appraisal value can be determined
for a jewelry product purchased at some other point of sale by causing
an appraiser 11 located at a point of sale to evaluate the jewelry
product and assign the jewelry product an appraisal value at the
time that the customer presents the jewelry product to the appraiser
11.
[0144] The appraisal documentation can be generated, and therefore
the appraisal can be obtained, through any number of means that
produces a document that communicates the contents of the identity
and the appraisal value of a jewelry product to the II 35 and/or
the IP 45, including, but not limited to, software which can generate
a formatted appraisal, a document produced by hand, typed or generated
by any word processing system. Further, the appraisal document can
be in paper or electronic format.
[0145] One exemplary software product which can be used to generate
appraisal documents is the Virtual Inventory Point of Sale module
("VI POS module") which is one of a suite of Virtual Inventory
("VI") software modules. The VI POS module can generate
an appraisal for jewelry that is either located within a VI database
that is accessible by the VI POS module or that is not located within
the VI database that is accessible by the VI POS module.
[0146] The VI POS module can generate an appraisal for jewelry
that is located within a VI database that is accessible by the VI
POS module by merging previously stored jewelry product appraisal
information with customer contact information.
[0147] For example, FIG. 2b is an exemplary illustration depicting
a VI POS user interface for generating an appraisal document at
a point of sale when the jewelry product is in a VI database that
is accessible by the VI POS module. At the startup of the VI system,
a VI operator can depress an Appraisal button and then depress an
Add New Appraisal button to arrive at the Add New Appraisal page
which contains the user interface shown in FIG. 2b. The Add New
Appraisal page contains a Customer Info tab 211, an Inventory Item
Info tab 212, and an Appraisal tab 213.
[0148] Selecting the Customer Info tab 211 displays a page containing
a user interface with fields that the VI operator can populate with
information pertaining to the customer receiving the appraisal.
As used herein, the term "fields" means text input boxes
which a VI operator can populate through the use of methods including,
but not limited to, selection of text from pull-down menus or typing
in text manually. Selecting the Inventory Item Info tab 212 displays
a page containing a user interface with fields in which the VI operator
can input or select, via a pull-down menu, text describing the identity
of the jewelry product for which an appraisal is being generated.
Selecting the Appraisal tab 213 displays a page containing a user
interface with fields in which the VI operator can select, via a
pull-down menu, appraisal information. The VI operator can use a
pull-down menu to retrieve an appraisal value and other information
that has been pre-stored in the VI database thereby allowing the
appraisal information to be automatically entered into the appraisal
field. This information can be overwritten by a VI operator. For
instance, the information that automatically enters the appraisal
field can be edited. However, if the information is edited, VI can
have the capability to prevent a digital signature belonging to
the appraiser that formulated the initial appraisal value from being
placed on the appraisal and the appraisal can be printed and signed
by the person editing the appraisal.
[0149] The foregoing method described with reference to FIG. 2b
is merely exemplary and the VI operator can select the tabs, and
populate the fields on each page that correspond to each tab, in
any order. Additionally, various fields can optionally be left in
an unpopulated state and an appraisal can still be generated.
[0150] Referring to FIG. 2b, in order to generate the appraisal,
the VI operator can select the Customer Info tab 211 and populate
the fields with information pertaining to the customer. If the customer
is already in the VI database, the customer information can be retrieved
by selecting the customer's name from a pull-down menu associated
with the input location for the customer's name. The other fields
for which information about the customer is stored in the VI database
will be automatically populated as a result of selecting the customer's
name from the pull-down menu. If the customer is not already in
the VI database, the VI operator can depress the New button 218
and enter the customer's information. The VI operator can then select
the Inventory Item Info tab 212 and enter information about the
identity of the jewelry product being appraised or use a pull-down
menu and select information about the identity of the jewelry product
being appraised. The VI operator can then select the Appraisal tab
213 and enter appraisal information for the jewelry product. If
an appraiser has already appraised the jewelry product and the appraisal
information has been stored in the database, the VI operator can
use a pull-down menu to retrieve the appraisal information. If appraisal
information is not already stored in the database, an appraiser
can evaluate the jewelry product and populate the fields with information
such as the appraisal value. To generate the appraisal, the VI operator
can then depress the Print Item Appraisal button 214 or depress
the Save New Appraisal button 216 to generate the appraisal in paper
or electronic formats, respectively. The VI operator can abandon
the appraisal by depressing the Abandon New Appraisal 217 button.
[0151] The VI POS module can also generate an appraisal for jewelry
that is not within a VI database by having an appraiser evaluate
and input the appraised value and related information into the VI
POS module, capture an image of the jewelry with a device such as
a camera or any other device capable of capturing an image, and
merge the jewelry information with the customer contact information
in an appraisal document.
[0152] The appraisal generated by the VI POS module can include
various pieces of information, including, but not limited to, the
type of jewelry product being appraised; the type and weight of
the stone within the jewelry product; replacement cost of the jewelry
product; a short paragraph or a book length description describing
the jewelry product; and a designated location for the appraiser
11 to sign and date the appraisal document.
[0153] The VI software can also include functionality enabling
it to perform a host of other varied operations including, but not
limited to, functionality which allows the operator to maintain
customer personal and purchase-history information; print product
sales tags; maintain and track repair and jewelry-adjustment jobs,
maintain a pictorial inventory of jewelry, track and search inventory
and record sales; generate, deliver and/or print customized electronically
definable catalogs; encrypt jewelry price information, sales and
vendor analysis; facilitate inventory exchange with other VI software
owners; send emails that contain particular company brand information;
perform data compression, website administration or inventory tagging;
encrypted inventory tagging for image identification of inventory
items, search the VI database and/or customized electronically definable
catalogs; operate VI over multiple databases; import or export of
data; perform system security for different classes of users; and
perform pictorial job bagging and file containment. Steps to operate
the VI software to perform these and other functions are described
in the Virtual Inventory Manual.
[0154] One exemplary function of the VI software is the ability
to create customized electronically definable catalogs. The electronically
definable catalogs can include functionality which allows for: personalized
messaging; direct transmissions to and from a website; presentation
of jewelry products and associated information; searching catalogue;
printing catalogue; making multi-media presentations; online or
offline displaying and/or viewing of jewelry product images and/or
text; displaying jewelry product images and text simultaneously
on the same page; creating thumbnail representations of jewelry
product images; creating customized catalogs for specific customers
or customer prospects based on data mining; enabling two or more
VI operators to send, receive and share data allowing items transmitted
from a sending user to be automatically incorporated into the database
of a receiving user.
[0155] An electronically definable catalog generally comprises
a group or ordered series of catalog entries. For example, the catalog
entries may include a first catalog entry, any intermediary catalog
entries (a second catalog entry), and an Nth catalog entry, where
N refers to the maximum number of catalog entries. The maximum number
of catalog entries may be commensurate with a maximum viewer file
size that may be stored on a particular storage medium, a maximum
viewer file size that may be transmitted over the communications
network to a customer terminal within a maxim |