U.S. patent application number 13/302172 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-10 for method and apparatus for generating customized furniture documentation.
This patent application is currently assigned to C.F. STINSON, INC.. Invention is credited to David W. Bickford, Timothy J. Mallos, Keith Stinson.
Application Number | 20120116914 13/302172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23150586 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120116914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stinson; Keith ; et
al. |
May 10, 2012 |
Method and Apparatus for Generating Customized Furniture
Documentation
Abstract
Preferred embodiments include a method and apparatus for
generating customized product documentation for a furniture item
having a plurality of surface material options. A computer receives
a plurality of images of surface materials which may be applied to
a furniture item and stores the images into a computer database.
Label information describing each of the plurality of images and
the furniture item is also received into the database. Surface
material images are electronically displayed and an image is
selected for application to the furniture item. The computer maps
the selected surface material onto an image depicting the furniture
item. An electronic document is generated which includes an image
of the furniture item having the selected surface material mapped
thereon and the label information associated with the selected
surface material and the furniture item.
Inventors: |
Stinson; Keith; (Birmingham,
MI) ; Bickford; David W.; (Saline, MI) ;
Mallos; Timothy J.; (Brighton, MI) |
Assignee: |
C.F. STINSON, INC.
Rochester Hills
MI
|
Family ID: |
23150586 |
Appl. No.: |
13/302172 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11801477 |
May 10, 2007 |
8086466 |
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13302172 |
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10473995 |
Oct 3, 2003 |
7249035 |
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PCT/US2002/018993 |
Jun 17, 2002 |
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11801477 |
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60298454 |
Jun 15, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0621 20130101;
G06Q 30/0643 20130101; G06Q 10/087 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.5 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20120101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A computer implemented method comprising: storing design data
defining a plurality of visual surface schemes of furnishing
surface materials; associating varied elements of the design data
with at least one of a plurality of furnishing supply chain
members; receiving one or more requests identifying (i) at least
one of the plurality of supply chain members and (ii) at least one
furnishing to which a visual surface scheme can be applied;
responsive to the request(s), selecting at least one of the
elements of the design data associated with the identified supply
chain member and mapping at least a portion of the selected design
data onto a base image or model of the identified furnishing to
generate an image of the furnishing having characteristics of the
selected design data; and transmitting the generated image to an
entity from which the request(s) were received.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the design data includes visual
fabric data.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the design data includes visual
solid surface data.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the design data includes visual
color data.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein a supply chain member-defined
subset of the design data is associated with at least one supply
chain member as a design scheme.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein a request for a plurality of
furnishings to which a visual surface scheme can be applied results
in transmission of generated images having been generated by
selecting and mapping design data from the design scheme.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request(s) further includes a
request for a catalog of furnishings associated with the supply
chain member, and wherein the selecting and mapping further
includes selecting and mapping elements of the design data from a
defined design scheme to generate a plurality of images of
furnishings associated with the identified supply chain member,
each image representing at least one element of the design
scheme.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein different supply chain members
have differing design schemes associated therewith.
9. A computer system comprising one or more computers configured
to: store design data defining a plurality of visual surface
schemes of various furnishing surface materials; associate varied
elements of the design data with at least one of a plurality of
supply chain members; receive one or more requests identifying (i)
at least one of the plurality of supply chain members and (ii) at
least one furnishing to which a visual surface scheme can be
applied; responsive to the request(s), select at least one of the
elements of the design data associated with the identified supply
chain member and map the selected design data onto a base image or
model of the identified furnishing to generate an image of the
furnishing having characteristics of the selected design data; and
transmit the generated image to an entity from which the request(s)
were received.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the design data includes visual
fabric data.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the design data includes visual
solid surface data.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the design data includes visual
color data.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein a supply chain member-defined
subset of the design data is associated with at least one supply
chain member as a design scheme.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein a request for a plurality of
furnishings to which a visual surface scheme can be applied results
in transmission of generated images having been generated by
selecting and mapping design data from the design scheme.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the request(s) further includes
a request for a catalog of furnishings associated with a supply
chain member, and wherein the selecting and mapping further
includes selecting and mapping elements of the design data from a
defined design scheme to generate a plurality of images of
furnishings associated with the identified supply chain member,
each image representing at least one element of the design
scheme.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein different supply chain members
have differing design schemes associated therewith.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/801,477, filed May 10, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/473,995 filed Oct. 3, 2003, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,249,035, issued Jul. 24, 2007, which claims the benefit of
PCT application Serial No. PCT/US02/18993 filed Jun. 17, 2002,
which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
60/298,454 filed Jun. 15, 2001, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Furniture may be manufactured in a multitude of different
configurations, each having a respective set of surface material
options including fabrics, vinyls, textures, colors, finishes etc.
This manufacturing complexity creates a challenge to furniture
marketers because the preparation of a catalog displaying all
possible configurations may be cost prohibitive. For larger
furniture/textile manufactures, creating a catalog which
comprehensively discloses all available furniture/surface material
combinations would result in a binder that (i) cannot be readily
released to the typical customer due to its physical size and cost,
(ii) would largely comprise configurations a customer is simply not
interested in, (iii) cannot be readily copied, and (iv) is
difficult to update when changes in configurations and associated
information occur. Furthermore, images, specifications,
descriptions, prices and other label information may originate from
different sources (e.g. furniture manufacturers, textile
manufacturers, furniture/textile assemblers, distributors,
retailers, photographers, etc.) which further complicates the
compilation of product catalogs.
[0003] Online catalogs reduce some of these challenges. For
example, a customer can browse an online furniture inventory, and
print or download available materials. However, such sites
typically do not provide images for all available furniture-surface
material configurations. This is because it is prohibitively
costly, especially for larger manufacturers, to manufacture all
possible configurations, and photograph them for uploading and
presentation at an online catalog. Also, new surface materials and
furniture configurations are often added, complicating the
manufacture-assembly-photography process for all possible
configurations. These hurdles typically result in only the more
popular configurations being provided. Customers that are not
interested in this subset of available configurations are left to
imagine the particular furniture-surface material configuration he
or she is interested in.
[0004] What is needed is a method and apparatus that simplifies and
enhances the provision of an online furniture catalog enabling
customers to flexibly configure furniture-surface material
combinations, and generate product documentation for those
customer-defined configurations.
SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention include a method and
apparatus for generating customized product documentation for a
furniture item having a plurality of surface material options. A
computer receives a plurality of images of surface materials which
may be applied to a furniture and stores the images into a computer
database. Surface material images may be presented in a variety of
light color temperatures or environmental conditions. Label
information describing each of the plurality of images is also
received into the database.
[0006] Surface material images are electronically displayed and an
image is selected for application to the item of furniture. The
computer maps the selected surface material onto an image depicting
the furniture item. A plurality of mapping methods may be
implemented, including but not limited to color mapping, bump
mapping and texture mapping.
[0007] An electronic document is generated which includes an image
of the selected furniture item having the selected surface material
mapped thereon and the label information associated with the
selected surface material. The document may be generated in a
portable document format (PDF).
[0008] The above objects and other objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the
following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out
the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred system architecture for
implementing the present invention within the surface material
industry;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of how custom content data may
change at each stage of a hypothetical layered response
construction;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block flow diagram illustrating example licensee
and site administrator architecture and functionality supported in
accordance with the example fabric and finish implementation of the
present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block flow diagram illustrating a preferred
methodology for implementing the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following detailed description and associated drawings
of the present invention concern preferred embodiments or
implementations of the invention. Accordingly, the following
description and associated drawings do not describe every
conceivable and possible embodiment or implementation of the
invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
aspects of the present invention may be changed or otherwise
adapted to best-fit a particular implementation of the present
invention.
[0014] Applications of the present invention include, but are not
limited to, the custom-labeling of any content or media that can be
played, displayed or otherwise output by a computer device. Such
content includes computer-generated graphics, pictorial
representations of physical objects, samples, text, audio, video,
etc. Types of computer output include graphical visual display,
audio file output via speaker, download (e.g., to personal computer
device, disk, etc.), upload (e.g., to network server, mainframe,
peer computer, etc.), and others.
[0015] Content in the form of surface material samples includes a
representation of any material that can be applied to an object to
change its physical appearance (e.g., fabrics, finishes, carpets,
laminates, paints, stains, textures, etc.). Typically, surface
materials are applied to furniture, counter-tops, tables, walls,
floors, ceilings and the like to enhance their appearance. Notably,
the range of surface materials may also include non-textile
products such as cosmetics and industrial materials.
[0016] Label information to be applied to content or media
includes, but is not limited to, a brand or logo, pricing
information, descriptive information, specification information,
performance information, warranty information, contact information,
etc.
[0017] For illustrative purposes only, preferred embodiments or
implementations of the present invention may be described in the
context of the fabric and finish industry. Surface materials
utilized within this industry may include upholsteries, seating
fabrics, panel fabrics, vinyls, paints, laminates, stains, etc.
These surface materials may be brought to market by various textile
manufacturers, furniture manufacturers, re-manufacturers,
distributors and retailers who may supply or compete against one
another with common fabrics and finishes.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred system architecture for
implementing the present invention within the fabric and finish
industry. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
aspects FIG. 1 may be changed, rearranged or otherwise adapted to
best-fit a particular system implementation of the present
invention--inside or outside of the fabric and finish industry.
[0019] Block 100 encompasses an aspect of the present invention for
processing and serving custom-labeled fabric and finish content
(e.g., fabric and finish samples, etc.) to a plurality of
distributed servers 102a-102n and/or client computers 104a-104n. As
described in greater detail below, processing and serving data may
additionally take place at distributed servers 102a-102n.
[0020] Communication with components of block 100 may be
established in a variety of manners including a computer network
(LAN, WAN, etc.), dial-up or other direct link, wireless link, etc.
Preferably, communication with components of block 100 is via
TCP/IP over the Internet.
[0021] Users of the custom text, branding and/or and pictorial
representations of custom-labeled fabric and finish content
include, but are not limited to, operators of client computers
104a-104n and/or administrators of servers 102a-102n. In a
preferred arrangement, business entities administrating servers
102a-102n (e.g., textile manufacturers, furniture manufacturers,
re-manufacturers, distributors, retailers etc.) enter into a
contractual agreement for the right to use or access custom
branding, text and/or pictorial representations of custom-labeled
fabrics and finishes, in an electronic format, from block 100. In
one embodiment, the contractual agreement will be in the form a
license agreement wherein the licensor administers block 100 and
the licensee business entity administers servers 102a-102n. Via
client computers 104a-104n, customers of the licensee business
entities may access fabric and finish samples offered for sale by
the licensee business entities.
[0022] In one implementation of the present invention, block 100
supports the creation, maintenance and sharing of multiple
electronic catalogs for licensee business entities. These catalogs
may contain the custom branding, text and/or pictorial
representations of custom-labeled fabrics and finishes in an
electronic format.
[0023] The catalog feature may be configured to associate specific
fabric and finish samples with specific licensee products. For
example, a furniture manufacturer may sell an upholstered chair.
Only 40 of the 5,000 total fabrics offered by the furniture
manufacturer may be suitable for use on the particular model of
upholstered chair. The catalog feature may be configured to
associate only the 40 suitable fabrics with the particular model of
upholstered chair.
[0024] In a preferred implementation of the present invention,
operators of client computers 104a-104n (consumers, customers, end
users, etc.) access content (catalogs, etc.) from block 100 via
hyperlinks links on licensee Internet sites. Alternately, a client
operator may access content from block 100 directly--without first
browsing a licensee Internet site. The direct arrangement may
occur, for example, where an advertisement, e-mail, business card,
etc. communicates a URL to a client computer operator. Preferably,
interaction between a client and licensee server and/or block 100
is via a standard Internet browser utilizing TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS,
etc.
[0025] Licensee internet sites may be hosted on servers 102a-102n.
These sites may contain hyperlinks to block 100 (represented in
FIG. 1 by dotted lines). In one implementation, a licensee's entire
product catalog is served electronically by block 100. In another
implementation, a licensee maintains and serves its own electronic
catalog containing hyperlinks to particular custom-labeled content
served at block 100.
[0026] Internet server 106 is a gateway for client data requests
from block 100. In one implementation, Internet server 106
dispatches these requests to appropriate application servers. In
the fabric and finish example, application servers may include an
administrative server 108, an application server 110, an image
processing server 112, and a database server 114. In further
accordance with the fabric and finish example, database server 114
may be in operable communication with databases including a layered
branding chain database 116, a branded content database 118 and an
image repository 120.
[0027] In a preferred implementation of the present invention,
surface material samples are processed and custom-labeled at
application server 110. In one embodiment, such processing may take
place in response to a client data request.
[0028] In addition, application server 110 may be configured to
support layered responses to client requests for surface material
samples and related related label information. In one embodiment of
the present invention, layering responses includes the steps of
adding, substituting and/or re-branding specification and related
product data for successive tiers or points within a supply
chain.
[0029] Data requests made by a client machine to the webserver 106
may contain business entity identifier, such as a licensee
identifier. Entity identifiers may be implemented in a variety of
manners include being coded into hyperlinks clicked from a client
machine, read from a cookie on a client machine, or obtained
through other methods depending on the needs of a particular
implementation of the system.
[0030] In one embodiment, entity identifiers may be encoded within
each data request to the web server 106. The web server passes
these identifiers to the application server 110 which uses them to
reference information such as the identity, profile, and layered
response construction business rules from the layered branding
chain database 116.
[0031] In addition, codes may provide additional information and/or
association/indication as to the identity of a licensee, a specific
licensee product or group of products to display, product marketing
group, product or group information, etc. These codes may be
implemented in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, these codes
may be embedded within hyperlinks that are clicked from a client
machine, read from a cookie on a client machine, or obtained
through other methods depending on the needs of a particular
implementation of the system.
[0032] For example, assume that a group of manufacturers,
distributors and retailers are all licensees in operable
communication with block 100. Assume that a manufacturer or "fabric
mill" manufactures a particular type of furniture fabric. Three
distributors supply this fabric to multiple retailers. Block 100
maintains knowledge of the supply chain relationships between the
licensees and the custom-labeled surface material samples that are
unique to each licensee. In one implementation, block 100
automatically identifies which tier or point within a supply chain
that a particular request for content originates from.
[0033] Once the layer is identified, block 100 serves the
appropriate content having the appropriate label information. For
example, a surface material called "Red Fabric" by a manufacturer
may be sold as "Sunrise" by a distributor, and resold as "Sunshine"
by one retailer and "Sun Red" by another retailer.
[0034] In this example, block 100 delivers a product data set with
a product name that is customized for content requests from
particular points or tiers within that product's supply chain.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of how sample label
information may change at each stage of a hypothetical layered
response construction. Underlined text indicates data that has
changed from a previous layer in the supply chain. In this example,
a client request from Retailer 2 for data about Product X will see
a product named "Light Blue." A client request from Distributor B
for data about Product X will see a product named "Moon Rise."
Text-based information that may be presented in association with
content such as a surface finish sample includes, to the extent
applicable: the name of the product, the color, the other available
colors, the fiber content, the weave type, the weight, the width,
the performance, cleaning code, light-fastness, breaking strength,
pattern repeat, recommended applications, roll size, seam slippage,
flammability, U/L approval, etc. Performance characteristics may
include anti-stain finish, colorfastness, strength, resistance,
abrasion and moisture regain.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 1, image processing server 112
serves up content to Internet server 106 and/or application server
110. In the fabrics and finishes implementation of the present
invention, for example, this content may include product and sample
imagery. Imagery may be presented in a variety of file formats
including but not limited to .tiff, .bmp. .jpg, .pdf, etc.
Preferably, thumbnails of the images are provided to enhance
initial content download time. Additional functionality may include
a client ability to interactively zoom or otherwise magnify
images.
[0037] Surface material samples may be delivered to or from aspects
of block 100 via download, e-mail attachment, file transfer
protocol (FTP), electronic data interchange (EDI), extensible
mark-up language (XML), etc.
[0038] Preferably, surface material sample images are processed to
show color, pattern and texture accurately for a variety of light
color temperatures and environmental conditions. Products and
samples may be displayed in a variety of different ambient lights
(e.g., incandescent, fluorescent, tungsten, natural lighting,
sunshine, etc.). Color correction such as Kodak Verifi Color may be
implemented to enhance the presentation of visual content.
High-resolution color PDF documents may also be provided so that
client operators can print true-to-life product and sample imagery.
In yet another embodiment, the samples may be mapped (color mapped,
bump mapped, texture mapped, etc.) onto a two or three-dimensional
representation of an object or product. For example, a customer
browsing a furniture retailer's inventory may be provided with
functionality for selecting different chair fabric samples to be
mapped onto a three-dimensional representation of a chair offered
for sale by the retailer.
[0039] Databases in operable communication with database server 114
maintain content, data and relationships to support functionality
hosted at the Internet server 106, the image processing server 112
and administrative server 108 (described herein).
[0040] Administrative server 108 may be configured to provide
administrative functionality for managing data and/or content.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a block flow diagram illustrating example
administration architecture and functionality supported in
accordance with the example fabric and finish implementation of the
present invention. In this example, authorized administrators
and/or licensees access an administrative Internet site hosted on
the Internet server (106 in FIG. 1) via a secure login, as
represented in block 300. Upon login, authorized users are
presented with a main administration page, as represented in block
302.
[0042] Upon selecting the site administrator hyperlink the user (if
authorized) is presented with a site administration page, as
represented in block 304. Here, the administrator selects from
hyperlinks including "manage samples," "manage sample codes," etc.
Upon selecting the "manage samples" hyperlink, the administrator is
presented with a sample management page, as represented in block
306. The sample management page enables an administrator to
identify default names for fabrics and finish samples, assign
samples to licensee catalogs, edit the samples, add samples
(including samples provided by licensees themselves), delete
samples, etc. Modifying a sample includes defining an image for the
sample, defining attributes for the sample (e.g., description,
sample code, technical information, etc.), defining whether the
sample is "active" within the system, etc.
[0043] Managing sample and relationship codes, as represented in
block 308, includes functionality for associating attributes with
surface material samples, associating surface material samples with
business entities, associating surface material samples with label
information, etc. For example, sample and relationship codes may be
configured for a particular business entity to define what surface
material samples or groups of surface material samples to display
to the business entity's customers. Sample and relationship codes
may also associate label information with surface material samples.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the business entity
itself may define some or all of the label/sample attribute data
that pertains to that business entity's surface material
samples.
[0044] Authorized administrators and/or authorized licensees
accessing the administrative server 108 have access to a licensee
administration page, as represented in block 310. Here,
administrators and/or licensees have the option of viewing and
configuring licensee account information as represented in block
312, viewing an online catalog configuration overview as
represented in block 314, and managing samples included within an
online catalog as represented in block 316.
[0045] Licensee account information may include the licensee's
formal name, one or more e-mail address to which customer sample
orders and other correspondence may be forwarded, contact
information for the licensee and licensee service level.
[0046] Table 1 below contains 4 example licensee service level
configurations in accordance with the hypothetical fabric and
finish implementation of the present invention.
TABLE-US-00001 Level Level Description Automated Business Rules 1
Standard Showroom Features: Fabrics and Patterns made Browse an
up-to-date fabric and active in the global catalog do finish
library by category not appear in any licencee's Search for
specific item by catalog until explicitly added by category, color,
or style an administrative action. Search results display small
Every Fabric and Pattern made thumbnail images for quick inactive
in the global catalog is review immediately and automatically Click
on a thumbnail image for made inactive in the licensee's a large
detail image and catalog. specification information When global
patterns and Print or save any detailed fabrics are added to a
licensee's sample image and specification catalog, they default to
the in PDF format "active" state. Add fabrics and finishes to
Sample orders are routed to project file that can be e-mailed the
sample order address to anyone for further discussion, referenced
from the licensee's opinions, and approvals profile. Make finish
selections and add them to sample order Easily place online sample
orders. Users may request samples be delivered to their own address
or directly to a client Private Label System Features: Branded
Fabric and Finish Sample Room, including branded project files and
PDF information sheets Include any or all fabrics from global
catalog Kodak Verifi Web Accurate Color System (www.verifi.net)
Sample order routing to Licensee or directly to a fulfillment
center Licensee-defined product grading All fabrics and finishes
can follow licensee-specific naming conventions 2 Standard Showroom
Features: Fabrics and Patterns made Browse an up-to-date fabric and
active in the global catalog do finish library by category not
appear in any licensee's Search for specific item by catalog until
explicitly added by category, grade, color, or style an
administrative action. Search results display small Every Fabric
and Pattern made thumbnail images for quick inactive in the global
catalog is review immediately and automatically Click on a
thumbnail image for made inactive in the licensee's a large detail
image and catalog. specification information When global patterns
and Print or save any detailed fabrics are added to a licensee's
sample image and specification catalog, they default to the in PDF
format "active" state. Add fabrics and finishes to Sample orders
are routed to project file that can be e-mailed the sample order
address to anyone for further discussion, referenced from the
licensee's opinions, and approvals profile. Make finish selections
and add them to sample order Easily place online sample orders.
Users may request samples be delivered to their own address or
directly to a client Private Label System Features: Branded Fabric
and Finish Sample Room, including branded project files and PDF
information sheets Include any finish material from any source
Kodak Verifi Web Accurate Color System (www.verifi.net) Sample
order routing to Licensee or directly to a fulfillment center
Licensee-defined product grading All fabrics and finishes can
follow licensee-specific naming conventions 3 Standard Showroom
Features: Fabrics and Patterns made Click fabric or finishes link
active in the global catalog do from a product entry in furniture
not appear in any licensee's catalog to browse and search catalog
until explicitly added by only the finishes approved an
administrative action for use with the specific Every Fabric and
Pattern furniture product made inactive in Search within approved
finish the global catalog is set by grade, color, or style
immediately and automatically Search results display small made
inactive in the licensee's thumbnail images for quick catalog.
review When global patterns and Click on thumbnail image for
fabrics are added to a licensee's large detail image and catalog,
they default to the specification information "active" state. Print
or save any detailed Materials imaged for a sample image and
specification licensee are associated with the in PDF format
material datarecord by identifier Add fabrics and finishes along at
upload. with name of furniture product Licensee materials entered
into with which they are associated the global catalog do not
appear to a project file that can in the licensee's catalog until
be e-mailed to anyone for they are explicitly added. further
discussion, opinions, Sample orders are routed to and approvals the
sample order address Make finish selections and add referenced from
the licensee's them to a sample order profile. Easily place online
sample orders. Users may request samples be delivered to their own
address or directly to a client Private Label System Features:
Branded Fabric and Finish Sample Room, including branded project
files and PDF information sheets Include any finish material from
any source Kodak Verifi Web Accurate Color System (www.verifi.net)
Sample order routing to Licensee or directly to a fulfillment
center Licensee-defined product grading All fabrics and finishes
can follow licensee-specific naming 4 Standard Furniture Catalog
Fabrics and Patterns made Features: active in the global catalog do
Basic furniture catalog in its not appear in any licensee's own
window. catalog until explicitly added by In many cases furniture
is an administrative action. configurable. For instance, an Every
Fabric and Pattern made office chair may be available inactive in
the global catalog is with either loop or t-style arms. immediately
and automatically Each unique configuration made inactive in the
licensee's will be treated as a separate catalog. product. When
global patterns Each furniture product has a and fabrics are single
image, up to four added to a licensee's specification attributes,
and a catalog, they default to the memo field to hold a marketing
"active" state. description of the product. Materials imaged for a
Search furniture using up to licensee are associated with the three
attributes. material datarecord by identifier Furniture search
results display at upload. small thumbnail furniture images
Licensee materials entered into for quick review the global catalog
do not appear Click on furniture thumbnail in the licensee's
catalog until image for larger detail image they are explicitly
added. and specification information Sample orders are routed to
Print or save any detailed the sample order address furniture image
and specification referenced from the licensee's in PDF format
profile. Add furniture to a project file that can be e-mailed to
anyone for further discussion, opinions, and approvals Standard
Fabric and Finish Showroom Features: Click fabric or finishes link
from a product entry in furniture catalog to browse and search only
the finishes approved for use with the specific furniture product
Search within approved finish set by grade, color, or style Search
results display small thumbnail images for quick review Click on
thumbnail image for large detail image and specification
information Print or save any detailed sample image and
specification in PDF format Add fabrics and finishes along with
name of furniture product with which they are associated to a
project file that can be e-mailed to anyone for further discussion,
opinions, and approvals Make finish selections and add them to a
sample order Easily place online sample orders. Users may request
samples be delivered to their own address or directly to a client
Private Label System Features: Branded Fabric and Finish Sample
Room, including branded project files and PDF information sheets
Include any finish material from any source Kodak Verifi Web
Accurate Color System (www.verifi.net) Sample order routing to
Licensee or directly to a fulfillment center Licensee-defined
product grading All fabrics and finishes can follow
licensee-specific naming indicates data missing or illegible when
filed
[0047] The catalog overview function may include sample listings
such as: all available samples within the global database, all
samples from the global database that a licensee has included in
its online catalog (by default name and/or licensee rename), and
all licensee-specific samples within the licensee online
catalog.
[0048] Administrative functionality for managing samples includes
defining custom names, descriptions, pricing, etc. for the samples,
editing the samples, adding new samples to the catalog, (including
samples provided by licensees themselves), deleting samples,
etc.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a block flow diagram illustrating a preferred
methodology for implementing the present invention. In a computer
server arrangement including at least one computer database, one or
more surface material samples are selected and associated with a
business entity as represented in block 400. This selection step
may be governed by a service level configuration and/or one or more
automated business rules, as discussed in greater detail above. As
represented in block 402, custom label information is specified for
at least one of the surface material samples. The custom label
information may be default label information for the surface
material sample(s), or be uniquely customized by the business
entity as discussed above.
[0050] As represented in block 406, a request for a surface
material sample is received and processed at the computer server
arrangement. The request includes an identifier to specify the
business identity with whom the request for data is associated. As
discussed in greater detail above, the request for data may include
additional information such as supply chain layer information,
product information, etc.
[0051] As represented in block 408, an appropriate response is made
to the data request. Typically, the response includes a graphical
representation of the requested surface material sample and the
custom label information associated with the sample--as may be
specified by the business entity. Depending on the configuration of
the data request and the business entity's service level
configuration, responses to the data request may vary, as described
in greater detail above. For example, responses to the data request
may vary depending on the supply chain layer that the data request
originated from.
[0052] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0053] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are
not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or
minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0054] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *