U.S. patent application number 11/784497 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for system and method for collecting and managing product information in a database.
Invention is credited to Amanda Benson, Gregory P. Benson, Melissa Heller.
Application Number | 20080021767 11/784497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38581640 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080021767 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benson; Amanda ; et
al. |
January 24, 2008 |
System and method for collecting and managing product information
in a database
Abstract
A system is disclosed which allows for consumer regulated access
to data for the consumer by other users of the system. Once access
to the data is granted to other users, the other users analyze the
data and send information to the consumer, where the information is
based on the consumer data.
Inventors: |
Benson; Amanda; (Dalby,
SE) ; Benson; Gregory P.; (Rancho Santa Fe, CA)
; Heller; Melissa; (San Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
38581640 |
Appl. No.: |
11/784497 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60789362 |
Apr 5, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/00 20130101;
G06Q 30/0631 20130101; G06Q 30/0201 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/010 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A networked database management system having access by
consumers and providers, the system comprising: a database,
comprising user data for at least one user, the user data
comprising profile information, one or more user interests, and an
access control list; and a matching service configured to
selectively allow access to the database by at least one other user
of the system based on the access control list and to identify user
interests that can be satisfied by an inventory of products.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the profile information comprises
at least one of age, marital status, number of children, ages of
children, household income; contact information, name, phone
number, address, email address; financial information, credit card
balances, investment information, clothing sizes, body
measurements, weight, hair color, eye color, education courses,
education degree, past travel destinations, hobbies, awards,
vehicle make, vehicle model, and residence attributes.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interests comprise at
least one of a general interest, a desired product, and an
anticipated purchase.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the access control list comprises
at least one of a manufacturer, a vendor, and a provider having
products corresponding to one or more user interests.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the user data further comprises a
user transaction history, and the matching service is further
configured to allow access based at least in part on the user
transaction history.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the user data further comprises
an inventory of user possessions, and the matching service is
further configured to allow access based at least in part on the
inventory.
7. The system of claim 1, further configured to calculate a charge
to the other user of the system as a result of the other user being
allowed access to the database.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communication module
configured to send information to the user, the information to send
being selected based at least in part on the user data.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the selected information
comprises information related to one or more products.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the user data is sufficiently
detailed that the matching service is further configured to select
information related to no more than five products, the no more than
five products being selected as being preferable over all other
products accessible to the matching service.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more products are
available from a plurality of providers and the selected
information comprises competing offers from the plurality of
providers.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein one or more of the competing
offers is modified in response to another competing offer.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the selected information
comprises a query.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein the selected information
comprises an advertisement or an offer to sell for one or more
products.
15. The system of claim 8, wherein the selected information has a
format which allows the information to be presented to the user
according to rules defined by the user.
16. The system of claim 8, wherein the selected information
comprises an alert based at least in part on at least one of a
location, a price, an inventory, a item status.
17. The system of claim 8, further comprising an evaluation
service, configured to generate an evaluation for the user based at
least in part on the user data.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the evaluation is based at
least in part on actions taken by the user in response to past
information received by the user.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the selected information is
based at least in part on the evaluation.
20. The system of claim 16, further configured to calculate a
charge to the other user of the system based at least in part on
the evaluation.
21. A networked database access system for a provider, the system
comprising: a communication module configured to access data from a
database, the database comprising user data comprising profile
information for the user, one or more interests of the user, and an
access control list, the access of the communication module to the
database data being granted based at least in part on the provider
being identified in the access control list; a product database
comprising information related to the one or more interests of the
user; and a matching service configured to select information from
the product database based at least in part on the user data,
wherein the communication module is further configured to send the
selected information to the user.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the profile information
comprises at least one of age, marital status, number of children,
ages of children, household income; contact information, name,
phone number, address, email address; financial information, credit
card balances, investment information, clothing sizes, body
measurements, weight, hair color, eye color, education courses,
education degree, past travel destinations, hobbies, awards,
vehicle make, vehicle model, and residence attributes.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the user interests comprise at
least one of a general interest, a desired product, and an
anticipated purchase.
24. The system of claim 21, wherein the access control list
comprises at least one of a manufacturer, a vendor, and a provider
having products corresponding to one or more user interests.
25. The system of claim 21, wherein the matching service is further
configured to select the information based at least in part on at
least one of a time, a location, a product, an inventory level, and
an advertising venue.
26. The system of claim 21, wherein the user data further comprises
an order for a purchase.
27. The system of claim 26, wherein the selected information
comprises a confirmation of the purchase.
28. The system of claim 21, wherein the selected information
comprises information related to a product.
29. The system of claim 21, wherein the selected information
comprises a query.
30. The system of claim 21, wherein the selected information
comprises an advertisement or an offer to sell.
31. The system of claim 21, wherein the selected information
comprises an offer, the offer generated so as to be compared by the
user to one or more other offers.
32. The system of claim 21, further comprising an equipment
controller configured to modify equipment behavior based at least
in part on the user data.
33. The system of claim 21, wherein the selected information is
sent exclusively to the user.
34. A user communication device, comprising: a data upload module
configured to communicate user data comprising at least one of
profile information for the user, one or more interests of the
user, and an access control list to a networked database management
system, the system comprising a matching service configured to
selectively allow access to the user data by at least one other
user of the system based on the access control list and to identify
user interests that can be satisfied by an inventory of products; a
communication module configured to receive information selected by
the system based at least in part on the user data; and an
interface module configured to present the information to the
user.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the user interests comprise at
least one of a desired product and an anticipated purchase.
36. The system of claim 34, wherein the access control list
comprises a list of providers having products corresponding to one
or more user interests.
37. The system of claim 34, wherein the communication module is
configured to communicate wirelessly.
38. The system of claim 34, wherein the interface module comprises
a display.
39. The system of claim 34, wherein the selected information
comprises information related to a product.
40. The system of claim 34, further comprising a bar code
scanner.
41. A computer readable medium, comprising instructions, which,
when executed cause the computer to perform a method, the method
comprising: communicating user data comprising at least one of
profile information for the user, one or more interests of the
user, and an access control list to a networked database management
system, the system comprising a matching service configured to
selectively allow access to the user data by at least one other
user of the system based on the access control list and to identify
user interests that can be satisfied by an inventory of products;
receiving information selected by the system based at least in part
on the user data; and presenting the information to the user.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein the user interests comprise at
least one of a desired product and an anticipated purchase.
43. The system of claim 41, wherein the access control list
comprises a list of providers having products corresponding to one
or more user interests.
44. The system of claim 41, wherein the communication module is
configured to communicate wirelessly.
45. The system of claim 41, wherein the interface module comprises
a display.
46. The system of claim 41, wherein the selected information
comprises information related to a product.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/789,362, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
COLLECTING AND MANAGING PRODUCT INFORMATION IN A DATABASE", filed
on Apr. 5, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to databases, and in particular using
the database to manage communications between consumers and
suppliers of products.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Technology
[0005] In spite of the many advances of the Information Revolution,
the vast majority of modern commerce remains largely unchanged in
regard to buyer-vendor visibility. The lack of transparency into
one another's intentions or operating details forces the parties to
base decisions on assumptions or incomplete information. Although
widely accepted, this absence of real-time access to information
leads to enormous inefficiencies throughout the economy. Consumers
pay higher prices and get less than optimal products. Producers
build, stock and ship products based on imprecise projections.
Advertisers spend enormous sums on media with little ability to
measure results. All parties suffer greatly from the lack of a
system that offers bi-directional transparency between the supply
and demand elements of the economy.
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS
[0006] One aspect is a networked database management system having
access by consumers and providers, the system including a database,
including user data for at least one user, the user data including
profile information, one or more user interests, and an access
control list. The system also includes a matching service
configured to selectively allow access to the database by at least
one other user of the system based on the access control list and
to identify user interests that can be satisfied by an inventory of
products.
[0007] Another aspect is a networked database access system for a
provider, the system including a communication module configured to
access data from a database. The database includes user data
including profile information for the user, one or more interests
of the user, and an access control list. The access of the
communication module to the database data is granted based at least
in part on the provider being identified in the access control
list. The system also includes a product database including
information related to the one or more interests of the user, and a
matching service configured to select information from the product
database based at least in part on the user data, where the
communication module is further configured to send the selected
information to the user.
[0008] Another aspect is a user communication device, including a
data upload module configured to communicate user data including at
least one of profile information for the user, one or more
interests of the user, and an access control list to a networked
database management system. The system includes a matching service
configured to selectively allow access to the user data by at least
one other user of the system based on the access control list and
to identify user interests that can be satisfied by an inventory of
products, a communication module configured to receive information
selected by the system based at least in part on the user data, and
an interface module configured to present the information to the
user.
[0009] Another aspect is a computer readable medium, including
instructions, which, when executed cause the computer to perform a
method. The method includes communicating user data including at
least one of profile information for the user, one or more
interests of the user, and an access control list to a networked
database management system, the system including a matching service
configured to selectively allow access to the user data by at least
one other user of the system based on the access control list and
to identify user interests that can be satisfied by an inventory of
products, receiving information selected by the system based at
least in part on the user data, and presenting the information to
the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a database system for managing
communications between a customer, provider, and a database via a
network.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the
database management system of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of the user data.
[0013] FIG. 4A is a flowchart of a method of processing input from
a user.
[0014] FIG. 4B is a flowchart of a method of collecting information
from the user.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing that the user data may be
used by various components of the database management system to
generate various actions.
[0016] FIG. 6A is a flowchart of a method of selecting users.
[0017] FIG. 6B is a flowchart of a method of financial accounting
for the system.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a database access system for a
provider system, such as the provider system of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing that the user data may be
used by various components of the provider system to generate
actions for various systems.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a user communication
device connected with a network to a database management system and
to a provider.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The following detailed description of certain embodiments
presents various descriptions of specific embodiments of the
invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of
different ways.
[0022] The terminology used in the description presented herein is
not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive
manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a
detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the
invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include
several novel features, no single one of which is solely
responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to
practicing the inventions herein described.
[0023] Certain inventive aspects seek to empower the consumer with
the means to conveniently survey a global marketplace for all
providers of a given product and quickly compare the relevant terms
associated with a transaction. Such insight would provide consumers
with the peace-of-mind that they will always get the best deal
available for their individual requirements. Likewise, this
invention has the potential of providing manufacturers and
retailers with insight into actual consumer buying patterns and
purchase intentions. Such information would offer a number of
benefits. Not only could production and supply chains operate at
higher efficiencies but the product configuration and terms could
be adjusted in real-time based upon the consumer profile and market
conditions.
[0024] These benefits are made possible by a software system linked
to a very robust database. The database stores highly detailed
personal demographic information as well as an archive of past
transactions and a list of wishes or planned future purchases.
Statistical analysis routines would be able to accurately predict
product demand and market developments. The database is maintained
in a number of ways. Merchants, credit card firms and banks will be
provided a means of securely exporting their client's transaction
information to his personal product account. In addition, consumers
may use specially configured mobile devices to scan products of
interest encountered in the course of a normal day and have that
information automatically stored in their personal product account.
Lastly, consumers can logon to their account with a personal
computer and select from product listings to either indicate items
that they currently own or plan to purchase at a later date.
[0025] The dramatically improved clarity for both buyer and seller
opens the door to opportunities not presently possible. For
example, a consumer with a special cell phone might automatically
transmit an "economic status code" that nearby retail stores would
receive. If a certain store has an item in stock that is also on
the consumer's wish list, a custom offer might be generated to
entice the consumer to stop and buy that item immediately. Another
example might be a woman who has registered her entire wardrobe in
her personal account. Retailers could send her offers for clothing
items that are either on her wish list or that fill a gap in her
wardrobe as determined by an expert. This type of advertising
differs dramatically from the conventional type in that the
messages being sent correspond to actual wants or needs rather than
a generic message to the marketplace. The invention incorporates a
sophisticated accounting mechanism for targeting custom marketing
messages that correspond to a user's account and charging
advertisers varying fees depending upon the degree of interaction
the user chooses to engage in. The user might get one credit for
viewing the ad, five credits for responding to a query and ten
percent off if they purchase by the end of the day.
[0026] The invention provides the opportunity for dramatically
improved buyer-seller communications coupled with varying degrees
of incentives. It would be possible to create a fully automated
system for negotiating acceptable terms of a transaction by
comparing the consumer's profile data/preferences with the
commercial parameters defined by a vendor. For example, Nordstroms
might indicate that a consumer that averages $500 per month in
clothing purchases automatically qualifies for a ten percent
discount on all purchases. Another aspect is an auto dealership
might adjust the terms of sale to those requested in a user profile
if the desired vehicle is currently in surplus.
[0027] The analysis module of the software system can be configured
to automatically survey the market for one or more items. When a
good deal is found, the consumer can be alerted as to exactly where
to get the best deal. Alternately, the system might suggest that
this week it is better to buy groceries at Ralphs or buy gasoline
at the Chevron on Main street.
[0028] Embodiments of a database management system can be used to
manage communication between the users of the system, for example,
a consumer and one or more suppliers. The database management
system can receive and record input from and actions taken by the
consumer. The database management system may, based on the recorded
data, allow access to the consumer data by various product and
service providers. Such access can be allowed only to those
suppliers which, based on the recorded data, are likely to meet the
needs and wants of the consumer. Thus, the consumer receives
information fitting the consumers' specific needs and wants, and
the product and service suppliers may generate communications only
for consumers with needs and wants which they may satisfy.
[0029] Accordingly, consumers are able to conveniently collect
information on products in which they are interested when and where
they may be (e.g. in stores, at a friend's house, at home, etc).
For example, a cell phone might be equipped to scan a product code
and transmit it to a service bureau containing a user's personal
account. The information about the product it is processed and
sorted into the categories suited for that product. The user can
easily rearrange the products later and make their own
categories.
[0030] Users are provided several alternatives for logging on to
their personal account to manage the information. In some
embodiments, products like groceries and other items of certain
categories are already sorted. Because the system contains pictures
and detailed information about the products, the user can monitor
the products as they change, for example in price and/or
availability.
[0031] As long as the consumer has access to the database storing
the information, they can review, compare and gather other valuable
information about the products they have selected. Such information
might be, for example: what the product costs at different web
sites/stores or if the same item might be on sale. The user can be
notified of changes of the information for particular items of
interest. For example, if a consumer finds a great looking red
sweater at store x. Scanning the product code with a mobile device
forwards the product detail such as manufacturer, style name, size,
color, etc. to the service bureau. Later, sitting in front of a
computer at home, the user's account might present additional
information such as what the sweater is made of, what it looks
like, where it comes from, and pricing and/or availability for
various venues. For example, the consumer can see that store x
sells the sweater for 40 dollars but in the desired color but the
manufacturer's homepage sells the red sweater for 45 dollars
including shipping.
[0032] The user may choose to purchase the product using the online
system or choose an alert service provided by the system where the
user is contacted if certain pre-defined conditions are met. For
example, if the sweater suddenly goes on sale at store x, the user
would automatically be notified by e-mail or text message. The
system allows shoppers to enjoy the benefits of regular shopping
while at the same time, feeling confident of getting the best deal
without having to invest endless hours of research or comparison
shopping.
[0033] Another aspect of the system is a list making service. For
example a consumer enters information on food and or household
products in a store, or at home. Anything with a product code can
be easily submitted to the system. Using their personal account on
the service, they can make regular shopping lists, wish lists or
suggestions for items to complete a project.
[0034] The shopping list can be used in a walk-in store or may be
used for online ordering and food delivery. The list may be
automatically sent to a provider, such as a food delivery service
or a local shopping market for pick up. The shopping list, or wish
list can include any item the consumer can find, and is not limited
to items available through a specific source. In some embodiments,
the wish list may include less specific information on a product,
such as a general description of the product or function of the
product. For example, a wish list may include an item such as "blue
dress shoes," or "portable CD player." Furthermore, lists can be
made available to other users of the system. For example, friends
and relatives may select or purchase gifts using the system.
[0035] The system can also be used as an inventory status
management system for home, office or anywhere else where
monitoring of inventory is desired.
[0036] As an example of a typical user, the following describes how
Jane Doe experiences one embodiment of the system. [0037] 1. Jane
enters a website address on her computer. [0038] a. Registering as
a user [0039] i. Create a profile by entering personal profile
information: [0040] 1. Name: Jane Doe [0041] 2. Username:
*joyous-jane* [0042] 3. Measurements: Length: 170 cm, Waist: 70 cm
[0043] 4. Interests: soccer, party [0044] 5. Favorite season:
Summer [0045] 6. Favorite colors: black, blue and green [0046] 7.
Style: punk/rock [0047] 8. Age: 20 [0048] 9. E-mail:
..janedoe@hotmail.com.. [0049] ii. Anything that could affect her
choice of style may be entered, some things are obligatory and many
are not. It is not necessary, for example, for Jane to enter
answers to everything because the software will figure out Jane's
actual style by analyzing her selected products, the products she
has in her account, what products she studies while searching in
order to be inspired, and what products she has in her inventory.
[0050] 2. Services available to members: [0051] a. Communicate with
other users [0052] i. Send messages [0053] ii. Chat in numerous
different chat rooms [0054] iii. Share info with friend users only
or let the "public" see what you got. [0055] b. List products
currently in user's possession: [0056] 1. enter clothes that you
already have, clothes you would like to purchase or just find nice
[0057] 2. [0058] ii. Advanced search for fashion [0059] 1. anything
on the market should be available for the user [0060] 2. set
criteria for the product [0061] a. price: $100-200 [0062] b.
fabric: cotton [0063] c. color: white [0064] d. type: t-shirt
[0065] e. size: 3 [0066] 3. let search go by user profile [0067] 4.
When finding something to match product x, system determines
potential matches that conform to the user's profile. [0068] iii.
Different alternatives for shopping [0069] 1. order from this
website [0070] 2. link to manufacturers site [0071] 3. see local
stores that offer the product
[0072] The system collects product interest information from the
consumer and product information from various suppliers and
purchasing outlets, and stores the information on a server, where
it manages the lists for the personal account of the consumer.
[0073] In some embodiments hand-held devices may be equipped with
software and/or hardware for scanning and otherwise entering
information regarding interesting products. (e.g. barcode, dot
code, magnetic, RFID). The consumer may scan a product and may then
be prompted by the software to answer questions about the product
information desired, for example its nature and purpose. Once
complete, the information is transmitted from the handheld device
to a database management system.
[0074] In order to manage her lists, the user can log on to her
personal account on the service database management system, and use
various functions and added value services. Some examples include:
a) creating a wish list for an upcoming birthday; a list of grocery
items needed on next shopping trip; items to add to her
wardrobe.
[0075] The system will offer her a number of value-added services
based on her personal lists, such as: a alert service to notify her
when a clothing item goes on sale at a particular store; which
grocery store would result in the lowest bill given the current
items needed and manufacturer coupons now relevant for the items;
notification of new products in areas of previous
purchase/interest.
[0076] A service for building personal lists on a database
management system in order to simplify shopping is provided.
Another aspect is an electronic communication device configured to
enter product information is one of several methods to enter
product information to the database management system. For example,
a communication device may have a scanner capable of reading
product codes (barcode, RFID, pattern). Other data entry mechanisms
may also be used. The device transfers the codes to a personal
account of the consumer in the database management system where the
codes are cross-referenced to a table containing all the relevant
details of a given product. The system can compare an access
control list for the personal account of the consumer to determine
from what sources to receive information related to the consumer's
interests. The system contacts the various information sources on
the consumer's access control list. One or more of the information
sources delivers information to the database management system. The
consumer can then gather valuable information from their personal
account about the products they themselves entered into the system.
The information may include, for example, price, size, a picture,
ordering information, etc. As information for each individual
product changes the website is updated. The personal account is
capable of notifying a user in various ways when product
information changes (for example: product x goes on sale
notification might be accomplished via e-mail, text message, or
popup during session on the personal account). Additionally, users
are provided with tools for organizing their product information in
different categories or assigning rules for how the system should
manage the information. For example, products may be first sorted
by the database into bigger groups according to their line of use
such as, groceries, clothing electronics, furniture etc. The
database sorts them by reading the product information. Users also
have the option of creating their own categories. Possible
categories designed by the user include, for example, desire level
(e.g. need, planned purchase, wish list, budget, gifts etc.).
Furthermore, users are provided with an option of sharing selected
information with other users. For example the category "wish list"
may be shared with friends, family or with selected
producer/vendors. Lastly, there may be an option for
ordering/purchasing products from the companies that sell the
product or service.
[0077] Devices used for scanning may be devices such as cell
phones, PDAs, small scanners that fit key chains, iPods, watches,
detachable scanners (scanners that are detachable to other
electronic devices that do not already have a scanner) etc. The
scanner may be used for shopping for various products, such as
groceries, hardware, furniture, clothes, entertainment, books and
CDs.
[0078] The system may also provide producers and providers of the
products with limited access to aggregated consumer data in order
to study the information for operational decision support such as:
advertising content, advertising placement, inventory changes or
manufacturing changes. In all cases, information would be
distributed in a manner that protects the user's privacy. Also, in
some embodiments, companies can contact targeted consumers
according to certain limitations presented by the system and/or by
the consumer.
[0079] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications system 100.
The system 100, as shown, comprises a consumer 110, a provider 120,
and a database management system 130 in communication with one
another with a network 150.
[0080] The network 150 may comprise, for example, the internet or a
mobile communications network. The network may be wired or
wireless. In some embodiments, the network may be a local area
network (LAN) or a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example
within a shopping mall.
[0081] A consumer 110 can connect to the network 150 with a
communications device, for example, a PDA, a cell phone, a
computer, a portable computer, a watch, a radio, or other
communication device. With the communications device, the consumer
110 transmits to the network various user data comprising profile
information, one or more user interests, and access control list
parameters. The user data can also include requests for information
for certain products. For example, in one embodiment a consumer 110
in a department store finds a dress she likes. She may enter
information about the dress such as a product identification code
together with attributes that might include purpose (e.g. party
gown) and category (e.g. birthday wish). In some embodiments, she
may have a scanning device which may be used to scan the bar code
to enter the information about the dress. The information is sent
to the network 150. In some embodiments, the consumer 110 may
quickly receive information from the network 150 about the dress.
For example, she may learn that the dress is on sale or is
available in her favorite color at another store. She may learn
that other consumers have had good or bad experiences after
purchasing the dress or using that particular retailer.
[0082] The consumer 110 can receive information about the dress
using the same or a different communications device immediately or
at a later time. For example, the consumer may use a cell phone to
communicate to the system 100 her interest in the dress. Then, at a
later time, she may use her computer at home to retrieve further
information about the dress such as size and color availability,
locations of retailers.
[0083] The provider 120 may be a manufacturer, retailer,
advertiser, service bureau or any entity wishing to engage a
consumer in a commercial relationship. In certain embodiments, the
provider 120 receives a communication from the network that a
consumer 110 has interests which relate to an inventory of products
of the provider 120. Based at least in part on the provider 120
meeting the standards defined in the access control list of the
consumer 110, the provider 120 is granted access to at least a
portion of the system 100 data related to the consumer 110. Based
on the data related to the consumer 110, the provider 120 selects
information to send to the consumer 110. The selected information
may include at least one of a specific reply to communications from
the consumer 110, information for a product specified by the
consumer 110, information for a product related to a product
specified by the consumer 110. Other information sent to the
consumer might include queries, surveys, advertisements or custom
offers. The provider 120 may then send the selected information to
the consumer 110 through the network 150. In some embodiments, the
selected information is sent directly to the consumer 110. In other
embodiments, the selected information is sent additionally or
alternatively to the database management system 130.
[0084] The database management system 130 is configured to receive
and store user data including user profile information, user
interests, and the access control list of the consumer 110. In some
embodiments, the user data also includes transaction history of the
user. The database management system 130 is also configured to
grant database access to other users of the database management
system 130, for example provider 120. The access is granted based
at least in part on the user data. For example, the other users may
be granted access based at least in part on an identifier of the
provider 120 being in the access control list of the consumer 110.
Alternatively, the provider or its product may be granted access by
conforming to certain parameters set by the user and stored in the
access control list. After receiving access to the database,
provider 120 may determine information for the consumer 110 based
on the user profile and/or interest information of the consumer
110. In some embodiments, the selected information is transmitted
to the database management system 130, which then forwards the
information to the consumer 110. In other embodiments, the database
management system 130 modifies or formats the information prior to
sending it to the consumer 110. Such modification or formatting may
be done based at least in part on rules of the database management
system 130 or rules established by the consumer 110.
[0085] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a database
management system 200 corresponding to the database management
system 130 of FIG. 1. Also shown are network 250 and users A, B,
and C. As shown, the database management system 200 and each of the
users A, B, and C are connected to the network 250.
[0086] The database management system 200 comprises a database 210
with user data 215. The user data 215 comprises at least a user
profile, user interests, and an access control list for each user.
In some embodiments, the user data 215 may comprise a transaction
history. The database management system 200 also comprises a
matching service 220 configured to selectively allow access to the
database 210 by another user based on the access control list and
to identify user interests that can be satisfied by an inventory of
products. The database management system 200 may also have a
communication module 230 configured to send and receive information
to and/or from each of the users A, B, and C via the network
250.
[0087] The user profile information may comprise demographic
information of the user, such as age, weight, shoe size, marital
status, number and ages of children, household income; contact
information, such as name, phone number, address, and email
address; and financial information, such as credit card balances,
investments, and average neighborhood income. Other information may
also be included in the user profile.
[0088] The user interests may comprise general interests, such as
fashion, sports, and movies; a desired product, such as may be in a
wish list; and anticipated purchases, such as jewelry, clothes, or
appliances. The desired product and planned purchase may have
various levels of specificity. For example one planned purchase may
be a pair of Levis low-rise boot-cut blue jeans in size 3, while
another may be a digital camera. The user interests may include
other interests, needs, or wants of the user.
[0089] The access control list comprises a list of other users of
the database management system 200 which may be granted access to
the user data in the database 215. The access control list may
comprise general descriptions of users, such as "grocery stores,"
or "sporting goods stores," and may include identifiers of specific
users such as individual family members or friends. The access
control list may include manufacturers, vendors, or providers of
goods or services of interest to the user. In some embodiments, the
access control list might contain a range of parameters with which
to filter interested parties. For example, the parameters might
allow only retailers who carry products currently on the wish list
and who are willing to provide discounts of at least 10
percent.
[0090] The matching service 220 performs a function of determining
which of the users of the system may have access to the user data.
The matching service 220 does this by comparing the user data to
data associated with each of the other users of the system. The
matching service 220 determines, for example, based on the user
data that User A, a consumer, would like information on an Adidas
Official World Cup 2006 Soccer Ball. The matching service 220
searches the other users of the system for providers which can
provide the information. In some embodiments, the matching service
220 selects other users which have an inventory of products which
includes an Adidas Official World Cup 2006 Soccer Ball, and which
are referenced, either directly or indirectly, in the access
control list.
[0091] The matching service 220 may then provide access to one or
more of the other users to some or all of the user data of User A.
Based on the accessed data the other users may determine to send
information to User A. In some embodiments, the information is sent
directly to User A based on data in the user profile of User A. The
information may include location and availability information,
pricing, delivery options, discount information, warrantee
information and specification information, such as weight and
materials used. In some embodiments, the information is sent to the
database management system 200, which forwards the information to
User A according to rules defined in the user data 215. In some
embodiments, the matching service 220 allows several other users
access to some or all of the user data of User A, and several of
the other users send information for User A. In some embodiments,
the matching service 220 limits the number of other users whose
information is sent to User A. For example, if ten providers give
information about an Adidas Official World Cup 2006 Soccer Ball,
the matching service 220 may limit the number of providers to less
than about five providers, less than four providers, less than
three providers, or to a single provider. The selected providers
may be selected based on at least one of user data, rules set up by
User A, and rules set up by the database management system 200. For
example, User A may have required immediate availability in their
user interests, and a preference that the ball must be available
within 10 miles of his home. The matching service 220 may select
the information for 3 stores within ten miles of the User's home
selling the ball. The information may also include prices and
colors currently available in each of the stores. The database
management system 200 uses the communication module 230 to receive
information from providers and send the information to User A.
[0092] Similarly, in some embodiments, the matching service 220
limits the number of products whose information is sent to User A.
For example, if other users give information about 10 products, the
matching service 220 may limit the number of products to less than
about five products, less than four products, less than three
products, or to a single product. The selected products may be
selected based on at least one of user data, rules set up by User
A, and rules set up by the database management system 200. For
example, User A may have required immediate availability in their
user interests, and a preference that the product must be available
within 10 miles of his home. The matching service 220 may select
the information for 3 stores within ten miles of the User's home
selling the product. The information may also include prices and
colors currently available in each of the stores.
[0093] In some embodiments, the information about the providers and
products includes competing offers from the providers. The matching
service 220 may facilitate automated negotiations or other form of
arbitrage to narrow the number of offers to only the best terms and
specifications outlined in the user data 215. This functionality
enables providers to bid against each other for the business of a
consumer based upon real-time, contextual factors such as: the
economic status of the consumer, consumer transaction history,
market supply and demand, inventory levels, or the terms of
competing offers, etc. The consumer can choose among the offers for
which best meets their needs and desires.
[0094] In some embodiments, the information about the providers and
products includes an alert indicating that a product meets certain
criteria for notifying the consumer. The criteria may include
conditions on location, price, availability, and inventory status.
For example, while in a shopping mall, because the database
includes a leather coat as a desired purchase, and a nearby store
has leather coats on sale, the consumer receives an advertisement
from the store indicating that leather coats are on sale at the
store.
[0095] The database management system 200 may also comprise an
evaluation service, configured to generate an evaluation for the
consumer based at least in part on the user data. Advertisers are
willing to pay for the opportunity to send the information to the
consumer. Advertisers are willing to pay more for the opportunity
to send information to consumers with higher evaluations. For
example, a consumer whose user data indicates that he regularly
spends more than $500 each month on clothes would be very valuable
to sellers of clothes. In some embodiments, the evaluation system
can monitor and evaluate the consumer based on his rate of buying
the products for which he has received advertisements and/or based
on his rate of asking for further information related to a product.
In some embodiments, the information sent to the consumer can be
determined based at least in part on the evaluation of the
consumer. For example, if a consumer has repeatedly asked for
information related to a variety of products, but has not
purchased, he may have a relatively low evaluation. The information
sent to that consumer may be directed to lower cost products. In
some embodiments, the charges calculated for the other users, who
receive access to the user data of the consumer may be calculated
based at least in part on the evaluation of the consumer.
[0096] FIG. 3 shows a graphical representation of the user data.
The profile data includes the "Personal Profile" information--ID
number, residence zip code, age, income, number of family members,
outstanding debt, and average monthly spending as examples. The
user interests include a watch and an automobile in a "wish list,"
a water heater in a "planning to purchase in less than 30 days"
list, and a home refinance in a "planning to purchase within 12
months" list. In this embodiment, the user data also includes
historical information related to grocery and gasoline purchases as
provided by the grocery company's membership system and the credit
card clearing service that handles fuel purchases. In some
embodiments, the user data may additionally or alternatively
include an inventory of possessions of User A of FIG. 2, for
example information on a current wardrobe inventory.
[0097] FIG. 4A shows a method 400 of processing input from a user
from a computer or mobile device. The method 400 includes step 410
where the incoming message from the user is parsed. In one
embodiment, the message would be formatted using Extensible Markup
Language (XML). Next, the message is authenticated in step 420. The
authentication process verifies the source of the retrieved
information. The authentication process confirms that the received
data is unchanged from what the source transmitted and it also
confirms the identity of the source. In some embodiments, the
sender uses a one-way hash function to generate a digital signature
from the transmitted data. The sender then encrypts the hash-code
with a private key. The receiver (e.g. the server based system 200)
then recalculates the digital signature from the data and decrypts
the received digital signature with the sender's public key. If the
two digital signatures are equal, the receiver can be confident
that data has not been corrupted and that it came from the given
sender. Then, in step 430 the database record for the user is
accessed. The database might be a table in Microsoft SQL Server,
Oracle or any relational database system. The method the goes to
step 440, where the new user data is stored in a new record in the
database table of the user. Then, in step 450 a response action, if
any, is determined based upon parameters or script stored in the
user profile. The rules or script may be expressed as XML syntax,
JavaScript or VBscript as examples. Next, in step 460 an additional
query or a transaction confirmation may be sent to the user. For
example, the service bureau operating the database 130 may send a
query to a user in response to a scanned product code requesting
classification of how to store/sort the product information.
[0098] FIG. 4B shows a method 405 of collecting information about a
product. Starting in step 415, an information collection routine is
activated. Then, a request for information is transmitted to data
collection device in step 425. For example, the service bureau
might send a message to User A's cell phone to "Request" product
information from a product display. In some cases, the product
display may be equipped with a transmitter such as RFID that is
capable of communicating a product code from a considerable
distance. If no transmission is received, it is assumed that
alternate scanning means is required in the following step. Next,
in step 435, if no response is received after a period of time, the
scanner is activated, and a code is received from the scanner in
step 445. Then, in step 455, the user is queried as to any of a
number of questions pertaining to how the product information
should be used or stored on the user's database. All server to
device communications might be conducted using XML over a TCPIP
connection. Next, the information in response to the query is
transmitted to the server in step 465. Then, the system queries the
user for another action in step 475.
[0099] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing that the user data may be
used by various components of the database management system to
generate various actions. The Personal Product Database 510 stores
the details of all historical and future product transactions for
each user of the system. Historical transactions of the user
conducted through merchants or financial service firms may be
imported to the system in a manner that insures data accuracy such
as the use of a mapping table. The system may perform a lookup
function to retrieve product details from a remote system that
corresponds to UPC or comparable product codes. In addition,
providers may submit detailed product specifications for their
respective inventory of products that conform to pre-defined
templates that enable the system to properly index and organize
products' features and attributes. The system conducts a matching
service between user records and provider records stored in the
database. The actions 520 may be any of a large number of actions.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the external actions 520 include
at least one of the following: a) generating an alert to inform a
user that a pre-defined condition has been satisfied by one or more
providers; b) executing a purchase by sending transaction data to a
remote system; c) sending information such as forwarding a wish
list to the user's relative; d) replying to a query where a
provider may have asked if the user would purchase a product if a
certain configuration could be made available at a future date; e)
negotiating might involve the submission of user terms to a
provider system in order to open an automated bidding process
intended to find the most suitable supplier of a product; and f)
collecting data which might involve a series of automated login
processes that permits this system to access remote systems that
store the user's transaction, purchase or banking histories for
transfer and storage on the current system. Other actions may also
be performed.
[0100] The user system manager 500 is configured to process data
from the user data in order to generate one or more actions. The
user system manager 500 can include various modules, such as an
external action controller 560, configured to execute external
actions, various management modules 570 configured to process the
user data to determine the one or more actions to be executed, and
a data communication module 580 configured to receive information
from the database 510 via network 550.
[0101] In some embodiments, the database 510 is local to the user
system manager 500. Accordingly, the network 550 may be wired or
wireless. The data communication module 580 is configured to
communicate with the database 510 in order to access information
from the database 510 and to store information in the database
510.
[0102] The processing modules 570 in the embodiment shown include
the following: a) an Offer Manager that stores user preferences and
organizes vendor offers so as to present advertisements and
proposals as organized responses to user defined interests; b) a
Query Manager that stores user preferences and organizes vendor
queries so as to present information as organized communications to
user defined interests; c) a Sharing Manager that stores user
preferences and organizes potential recipients of user data
according to the access control list; d) a Purchase Manager that
stores user preferences and organizes vendor purchases as organized
transactions to user defined interests; e) an Accounting module
that tallies debits and credits associated with user actions in the
system; f) an Import Data module that stores user preferences and
organizes potential suppliers of user transaction data according to
the access control list; g) an Asset Registry that permits users to
enter products in their possession or select from a list of
products that best match an asset currently owned by the user; and
h) an Editor that permits the user to modify his account
information.
[0103] The Offer Manager is configured to compare user data to
incoming offers presented by one or more vendors or service
providers. For example, electronics retailers may contract with the
service bureau to evaluate the demographic and user preferences of
the system members that share desirable buyer attributes. In this
example, the retailers may be looking for buyers between the ages
of 15 and 25, have average monthly spending of more than $300, and
have a music playback device on their wish list. The service bureau
provides the retailers with the means to send an offer to the
users. In some cases the Offer Manager will automatically engage
the retailer's system in a negotiation to either modify the offer
to be more in alignment with the user preferences or to pit several
retailers against one another in arbitrage. The next time a user in
the selected group views their account, the winning offer(s) would
appear in one or more lists/categories designated by the user. The
user would then have the option of viewing the offer and accepting
or requesting different terms. In this example the user does accept
the offer from retailer A. The Purchase Manager of 570 would then
debit the user the stated amount of money and send a transaction
confirmation to retailer A with a unique code representing the
specific user and terms agreed upon. The Purchase Manager may then
print out a statement outlining the terms of the transaction and a
machine readable code that would enable a local store of retailer A
to honor the online offer and deliver the product to the buyer. In
other cases, the Purchase Manager may send the transaction details
to the External Action Controller 560 in order to connect to a
remote system to complete a Purchase Action 520. The account for
retailer A may then be debited a service fee for facilitating the
transaction. In addition, the Purchase Manager forwards the details
of the product and the transaction to the transaction history and
Asset Registry 570.
[0104] In other embodiments, the Offer Manager may be used to
generate offers from the user to be sent to providers such as in a
bidding system. For example, the user data may include information
indicating that the consumer would like to purchase an mp3 player.
In some embodiments, the user data also indicates that certain
features are required and that certain features are preferable. The
Offer Manager is configured to determine which vendors on the
user's access control list sell mp3 players. In some embodiments,
the Offer Manager may also determine which vendors sell mp3 players
having the required features. The system selects one or more
vendors that best match the user preferences.
[0105] The Query Manager uses a similar process to determine, based
on the user data, which providers to send or receive queries. For
example, General Motors may contract with the service bureau to
learn that User Group X shares common attributes: a good credit
rating, employed as an independent contractor, and have a pickup
truck in their planned purchases. The service bureau provides GM
with the means to send the group a query as to whether an extended
cab would be of interest. The next time a user in Group X views
their account, the GM query would appear in one or more
lists/categories designated by the user. The user would then have
the option of viewing the query and responding. If the user does
respond, the Accounting module of 570 may credit the user some
amount of money or bonus points as reward for their response. The
account for GM would then be debited a corresponding fee for the
commercial value of getting direct marketplace input. In addition,
the Purchase Manager tracks what and when the user does actually
purchase a vehicle and stores this information as part of the user
profile as a means of scoring/evaluating the user's `performance`.
In this system, performance may be determined by a number of
factors such as: accuracy of answers, reliability of payment or
decision time, robustness of responses, etc.
[0106] The Sharing Manager can be configured to determine which
other users can have access to the user data. In some embodiments,
the Sharing Manager operates by rules determined by the user and/or
by the system. For example, the user may specify that provider A
can access data related to electronic equipment purchases, and that
provider B can access data related to clothing purchases. In
another embodiment, the Sharing Manager would reveal selected
portions of the user data to other web sites such as Yahoo or
Google that would enable those sites to further customize the
presentation of their content and or advertisements to the
particulars of the user. When the user visits such sites a coded
communication would authenticate the site and authorize use of the
user data in addition to recording a transaction in the Accounting
module to charge the web site a service fee for gaining access to
the user data.
[0107] In some embodiments, the Sharing Manager allows the user to
define friends or family who may have access to one or more lists
maintained by the system. These lists may be a series of products
or services from one or many providers. Alternatively, the list may
contain a series of links that serve to create a centralized gift
registry. For example, a couple engaged to be married currently
registers in several retailer gift registries making it
inconvenient for gift buyers to monitor the list status or get the
best deal on a product. This system provides a means for efficient
shopping while keeping a common gift registry updated. The Sharing
Manager may also be employed by users to conduct group
transactions. For example, a number of small business owners might
pool their individual needs for a product into a virtual buyers
block. As a result, the buyer's block might achieve a sufficient
volume to qualify for terms or discount not otherwise possible for
a single business. In this example, once the buyer's block reaches
the minimum terms required by the vendor, the Offer Manager would
forward an order/offer to one or more vendors.
[0108] The Purchase Manager can be configured to automatically
purchase items from the providers under certain conditions
specified by the user and/or by the system. For example, the user
can specify that if the price of a certain new car drops below a
certain price, a purchase order is automatically generated. In some
embodiments, the specifications can include various features
available, such as color, and leather seats.
[0109] The Accounting module can be used to calculate charges for
the providers using the system. For example, each time a provider
is granted access to the database, a charge can be generated in the
account of the provider. In some embodiments, the charge calculated
is based at least in part on user data, such as purchase history of
the user.
[0110] The Import Data module is configured to receive user data
and to place the data in the database according to the database
structure. In some embodiments, historical transactions of the user
conducted through merchants or financial service firms may be
imported to the system in a manner that insures data accuracy such
as the use of a mapping table. The system may perform a lookup
function to retrieve product details from a remote system that
corresponds to UPC or comparable product codes.
[0111] The Asset Registry is configured to record and organize an
inventory of the user. For example the asset registry may record
and access in the database a list of music the user has. In some
embodiments, the system uses the user inventory to determine likely
preferences of the user. For example, if the user has multiple CD's
from a certain artist, when a new album from the artist becomes
available, the system can send a notice to the user, or the system
can send a notice to one or more CD providers, who can generate a
communication for the user. In another embodiment, provider product
details contained in the Product Database 510 are presented to the
user in an interactive format that assists the user in identifying
the specific products currently in his possession. This process is
necessary to record sufficient detail about the products such that
subsequent analysis and or matching may be as accurate as possible.
The Asset Registry may also be configured to monitor such things as
when grocery items expire, when equipment needs maintenance or
recommendations on how to improve or upgrade the item.
[0112] Another aspect is an Edit/organizer module may be used by
the user to manage the graphical appearance and organization of the
information received by the user. For example, the information from
various vendors may be sorted according to any of price, location,
when available, and a ranking determined by the system based on
user preferences. The Edit module facilitates user modification of
lists, assets, offers, replies to queries, etc. FIG. 6A shows a
method of selecting users that match the parameters contained in an
instruction from a Provider System. The method 600, starts with
step 610, where the system receives a request to evaluate user
data. Then, at step 620, the system parses the request for various
components, such as actions (e.g. purchase, or request
information), and objects, such as the subject of the request (e.g.
a car, or an mp3 player). Next, at step 630, the user data is
analyzed. This may include determining which of the profile
information, user interests, and access control list entries are
relevant to the current request. Furthermore, the user data is
analyzed to determine which providers on the access control list
may meet the needs of the current request. At step 640, the system
selects which vendors to contact regarding the request. For
example, the request may relate to information regarding purchasing
a watch. The system may determine local department stores, and
online sources for watches matching the description of the
watch(es) in the request. Next, at step 650 the local department
stores and online providers are contacted, whereupon the stores and
online providers send information to the system. Then, at step 660
one or more messages formulated based on the user data, the
request, and the information received from the stores and online
providers are sent to the user. In some embodiments, the
information is modified by the system before being sent to the
user, for example, to conform to user preferences for organization,
display, method of communication, etc.
[0113] FIG. 6B shows a method of financial accounting for the
system. The method 605 starts with steps 615, 625, and 635, which
are analogous to steps 610, 620, and 630 of FIG. 6A. At step 645 a
transaction log is analyzed to evaluate the consumer for accounting
purposes. For example, if more frequently than on average, the
consumer purchases items for which information is requested, the
charge to the providers may be higher than average. Then at step
655, the system determines which other users match the user data,
such as is performed in step 640 of FIG. 6A. Based at least in part
on the list of other users and on the results of the transaction
log analysis, a value for each transaction is calculated in step
665. Then, at step 675, the results of the calculations are posted
as debit or credit entries. In some embodiments, advertisers may
desire to customize messages to consumers. In such a case the
analysis service outlined above would be performed for a
pre-determined fee and recorded by the accounting system for the
respective advertiser and, in certain cases, credit the user with
money or bonus points.
[0114] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a database access system for
a provider system 700, such as the provider system 120 of FIG. 1.
The system 700 has a communication module 710 configured to access
data from a database 740, which may be similar to database 210 of
FIG. 2, via network 750. The communication module 710 is further
configured to communicate with user 760. In some embodiments, the
communication module 710 communicates directly with user 760, and
in some embodiments the communication module 710 communicates with
the user 760 via a database management system connected with the
database 740. In some embodiments, the communication module 710
communicates the information exclusively to the user with a user
system, such as user system 500 of FIG. 5.
[0115] The provider system 700 has a product database 730 of an
inventory of products the provider sells. Each of the products
(goods and/or services) in the inventory has various attributes in
the product database 730 in sufficient detail so as to be
distinguished from comparable products. For example, a cell phone
record in the product database 730 may include price, availability,
shipping costs, weight, color, battery life, dimensions and various
unique features of the cell phone. In some embodiments, the
information in the product database 730 includes at least one of an
advertisement, an offer to sell, and a query. In some embodiments,
the communication module 710 communicates the information
exclusively to the user as an individualized message.
[0116] The provider system 700 also includes a matching service 720
configured to select information from the product database 730
based on a correlation between the attributes of the products in
the product database 730 and the user data received from the
database 740. In some embodiments, the matching service 720 is
configured to select information based at least in part on at least
one of a time, a location, a product, an inventory level, and an
advertising venue. For example, the information selected may be a
text message alerting the consumer that wallets are currently on
sale at a nearby store. This information may have been selected for
this customer because the consumer is currently in the same mall as
the wallet store, the inventory in the store is relatively low and
only a few generally high spending customers are being told, and
this customer often responds well to text message
advertisements.
[0117] In some embodiments, the information selected comprises a
query, an advertisement, or an offer to sell. In some embodiments,
the user may respond with his communication device to the
information sent by the system. The user data may comprise a
consumer response including at least one of a request for further
information, such as price and availability, a comment that the
consumer is not interested now, and a purchase order. In some
embodiments, if the user data comprises an order for a purchase,
the matching service 720 may select a confirmation of the purchase
as the information sent to the consumer. For example, if the
consumer chooses to buy a red shirt on sale for $27.95, a
confirmation of the item purchased and the cost may be sent to the
consumer. In some embodiments, the consumer's credit card may be
billed by the system. In other embodiments the consumer may take
the order confirmation to a local store to both pick up and pay for
the shirt for the terms agreed upon in the system.
[0118] In some embodiments, the information comprises an offer to
sell, where the offer is generated so as to be compared by the
consumer to one or more other offers. In some embodiments, multiple
sources of offers are simultaneously interacting with the consumer.
Each seller modifies their offer interactively, in response to
actions by the consumer, and in response to the offers of the other
sellers. In some embodiments, this interactivity is performed
automatically by the matching service of each of the sellers. The
result is an automatic reverse auction where the consumer
ultimately receives the best price and/or terms and conditions for
the item. For example, three athletic shoe vendors may all have a
soccer cleat which the consumer would like to buy. Initial bids
from the three vendors may be $45, $50, and $52. Second bids may be
$45, $48 with free delivery, and the third vendor may choose to not
bid any further. Final bids may be $45 with a free pair of socks,
and $48 with free delivery. The consumer may then give a signal as
to which if either of the bids she would like to accept.
[0119] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a provider system showing that
the user data may be used by various components of the matching
service 870 to generate actions for various systems 820. The
systems 820 may be any of a large number of remote systems. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the systems 820 include at least one of
the following: a) a production control system capable of receiving
instructions to modify the production process based at least in
part on user data; b) an inventory control system capable of
receiving instructions to modify the logistics process based at
least in part on user data; c) a payment processing system and
order processing system capable of receiving instructions to modify
commercial transactions based at least in part on user data; d) an
advertising booking system capable of receiving instructions to
modify the advertising placement process based at least in part on
user data; e) and a media transmission system capable of receiving
instructions to modify the content creation or media transmission
based at least in part on user data. Actions for various other
systems may also be generated. Another aspect is an action
generator 800 is configured to process data from the user data in
order to generate one or more actions. The provider system 800 can
include various modules, such as an External Action Controller 860,
configured to communicate instructions to external or remote
systems, various processing modules of the matching service 870
configured to process the user data to determine the one or more
actions to be executed, and a product information input/output
module 880 configured to receive information from the database 810
via network 850.
[0120] In some embodiments, the database 810 is local to the
Provider System 800. Accordingly, the network 850 may be wired or
wireless. The product information input/output module 880 is
configured to communicate with the database 810 in order to access
information from the database 810 and to store information in the
database 810.
[0121] The processing modules of the matching service 870 are
configured to process the user data based on various sets of rules
so as to automate commercial interaction with consumers and
negotiate transactions. In the embodiment shown, the rules include
advertising rules, offer rules, production rules, purchase rules,
accounting rules, content rules, payment rules, and inventory
rules.
[0122] The advertising rules may include minimum income
requirements for the consumer, or a rule that when information of a
first product is requested, in addition to the requested
information, information on related products, such as accessories,
is also provided. Additionally, the rules may dictate specific
advertising messages should be delivered under a given set of
circumstances such that consumers receive as individualized of a
message as possible. The rules may further dictate external actions
820 such as booking a Google ad-word because consumers are showing
increasing interest in a product with a unique feature.
[0123] The offer rules may include rules for accepting an offer to
buy from a customer such that a minimum bid is generated based at
least in part on the user data. For example, a minimum bid for a
consumer which frequently purchases products sold by the provider
may be lower than the minimum bid for a new customer. Similarly,
offers to sell at a price may also be generated based at least in
part on the user data. Additionally, the rules may dictate specific
offer terms should be extended under a given set of circumstances
such that consumers receive as individualized of an offer as
possible.
[0124] Production rules may include conditions which affect
production of products. For example if the provider experiences an
increase in interest in a product, production of the product may be
increased. In some embodiments, production equipment may be
controlled to produce products as they are ordered or to fulfill
custom design requests
[0125] Similarly, purchase rules may include conditions which
affect the purchase of goods and/or services needed by the
provider. For example if the provider experiences an increase in
interest in a product, wholesale purchases of the product or its
raw materials may be increased. In some embodiments, purchase
orders may be generated to purchase products as they are
ordered.
[0126] Accounting rules may, for example, include rules based on
policies for a credit account for the consumer. Similarly, raw
materials purchases or manufacturing decisions may be ordered based
on accounting rules.
[0127] Content rules may be used to determine the content of
advertisements sent to the consumer. For example, consumers with
user data indicating that they are likely to purchase a high-margin
product may receive advertisement content related only to the
high-margin products of the provider. Similarly, if a certain
product is found to be popular in the zip code of the consumer, an
advertisement for that product may be selected for the consumer.
The rules may dictate the combination of specific advertising
components to form a complete message such that consumers receive
as individualized of a message as possible.
[0128] Payment rules may be used to determine payment options for
the consumer. A consumer may be extended credit based on user data,
such as payment history of past purchases from the provider.
[0129] Inventory rules may be used to determine need for additional
production. In some embodiments, inventory rules may be used to
determine pricing. For example, if inventory is below a level, the
price may increase.
[0130] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a user communication
device 900 connected with a network 950 to a database management
system 910 and to a provider 960. The database management system
910 may be similar to the database management system 200 of FIG. 2.
The communication device is an embodiment of the consumer system
110 shown in FIG. 1. The communication device 900 comprises an
upload module 940, a communication module 920, and an interface
module 930.
[0131] The communication device 900 is configured to communicate
user data including at least one of profile information, user
preferences, product information, or access control information to
the database management system 910. With the communication device
900, the user enters the data and uploads the information to the
database management system 910 which stores the information in a
database (not shown). In addition, the communication device 900 is
configured to communicate a request for information on a product.
In some embodiments, multiple communication devices are used by the
same consumer. For example, a consumer may use a first
communication device 900, a personal computer at home, to upload
certain profile information, user interests, and access control
information. Then, while shopping, the consumer may use a second
communication device 900, a cell phone, to upload a user interest
comprising a request for information about a product, such as a new
toaster.
[0132] In some embodiments, the upload module 940 comprises a
bar-code scanner (not shown) to assist in uploading product
identification. Upon finding a product of interest, the consumer
scans the bar code of the product. Using the communication device
900, the consumer can label the scanned product as to be included
as a product of interest. In some embodiments, a level of interest
can also be indicated. For example, the consumer may label the
scanned product as being a planned purchase, a possible purchase, a
gift purchase for someone else, and/or a subject of a request for
more information, such as price, sizes, colors, seller locations,
and availability,
[0133] The communication device 900 also has a communication module
920 which is configured to receive data from the database
management system 910 or a provider 960. The received data may, for
example, comprise a report on the customer satisfaction for the
cell phone. The communication module 920 is further configured to
transmit the received data to the interface module 930. The
interface module 930 is configured to process and display the
received information to the consumer on a display. In some
embodiments, the information has a format which allows the
interface module 930 to present the information to the consumer
according to rules established by the consumer. For example, a list
of stores selling a product of interest may be sorted by distance
from the consumer's current location.
[0134] In other embodiments, the consumer may simply present a
unique code to make use of a proxy communication device 900 that is
being operated by a third party. For example, a merchant credit
card might also store the user's system access code which permits
product information to be sent directly from the merchant to the
data management system 910 without the user having to physically
operate the communication device 900.
[0135] The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the
invention. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how
detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention may be
practiced in many ways. It should be noted that the use of
particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects
of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology
is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any
specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the
invention with which that terminology is associated.
[0136] While the above detailed description has shown, described,
and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to
various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions,
substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or
process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the technology
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *