Method and system for conducting a plurality of cyber-based conventions

• US 20010014865A1
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Published: 08/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: D&P Ventures, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Software Management, Inc.
• Inventors: Franke, Paul D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,590,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation

Abstract

A method and system for conducting multiple Internet-based conventions, events, conferences, trade shows and meetings (“conventions”) includes a plurality of meeting planner clients, exhibitor/sponsor clients and attendee clients, all using web browser computers and a central website server on the Internet. The system receives and stores initial convention data, and control parameter rules from meeting planner clients. Then the system receives and stores exhibit booth display data and control parameter rules for said convention from exhibitor/sponsor clients. Based on search criteria provided by the participating attendee client, the central website server releases stored database convention information and provides a wide array of convention activity simulated with the program instructions and the databases. Thus, the system allows the creation of a “virtual convention venue” for conventions that exist only on the central website server and available using the Internet. Additionally, the system supports and augments a convention being held in a physical or venue-based center (e.g., Moscone Center in San Francisco).

Claims

1. A method for conducting at least one convention, by facilitating the exchange between at least one meeting planner client and at least one attendee client comprising the steps of:

a. receiving, from the at least one meeting planner client, and electronically storing at a central website, convention content information for a plurality of conventions;

b. receiving at the central website from the at least one attendee client a selection for convention content information of one convention from the plurality of conventions; and

c. releasing from the central website to the at least one attendee client the selected convention content information.

2. The method according to

claim 1

wherein the at least one meeting planner client is a plurality of meeting planner clients.

3. The method according to

claim 1

wherein the at least one attendee client is a plurality of attendee clients.

4. The method according to

claim 1

wherein the convention content information is cyber-based.

5. The method according to

claim 1

wherein the convention content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

6. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of storing in a relational database cross-referencing fields from the meeting planner client to allow for the holding of an unlimited number of conventions.

7. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising, prior to step b), the steps of receiving at the central website a search request from the attendee client for certain convention content information and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search request.

8. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising, prior to step c), the steps of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the convention.

9. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of using attendee client information to alert attendee clients of future conventions that may be of interest to them.

10. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website, from at least one exhibitor client, convention search, selection and registration information for at least one convention.

11. The method according to

claim 10

wherein the at least one exhibitor client is a plurality of exhibitor clients.

12. The method according to

claim 10

further comprising the step of storing cross-referencing fields from the convention content information in a relational database to allow an unlimited number of exhibitor clients.

13. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the meeting planner client session content information.

14. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the steps of receiving at the central website a request for certain client session content information from the attendee client for and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search request.

15. The method according to

claim 14

wherein the session content information is cyber-based.

16. The method according to

claim 14

wherein the session content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

17. The method according to

claim 14

further comprising the step of providing attendee client participation in the session.

18. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website a search request from the attendee client for session information and releasing to the attendee client such information.

19. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the session.

20. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from an exhibitor client exhibit content information including exhibit booth design and content.

21. The method according to

claim 20

wherein the exhibit content information is cyber-based.

22. The method according to

claim 20

wherein the exhibit content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

23. The method according to

claim 20

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client an exhibit booth selection.

24. The method according to

claim 23

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client exhibit booth design and content.

25. The method according to

claim 23

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the exhibit booth selection.

26. The method according to

claim 20

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client a search request for certain exhibit booth design and content and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search.

27. The method according to

claim 20

wherein the at least one exhibitor client is a plurality of exhibitor clients.

28. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the meeting planner paper presentation content information.

29. The method according to

claim 28

wherein the paper presentation content information is cyber-based.

30. The method according to

claim 28

wherein the paper presentation content information is one of either cyber-based or venue-based.

31. The method according to

claim 28

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client paper presentation content information.

32. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the meeting planner meeting proceedings content information.

33. The method according to

claim 32

wherein the meeting proceedings content information is cyber-based.

34. The method according to

claim 32

wherein the meeting proceedings content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

35. The method according to

claim 32

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client meeting proceedings content information.

36. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the meeting planner cyber broadcast content information.

37. The method according to

claim 36

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client cyber broadcast content information.

38. The method according to

claim 1

wherein a plurality of conventions are facilitated from the central website.

39. A method for conducting at least one convention, by facilitating the exchange between at least one meeting planner client and at least one attendee client comprising the steps of:

a) receiving, from the at least one meeting planner client, and electronically storing at a central website, convention content information for a plurality of conventions;

b) receiving at the central website from the at least one attendee client a selection for convention content information of one convention from the plurality of conventions;

c) receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the convention; and

d) releasing from the central website to the at least one attendee client the selected convention content information.

40. A system for conducting at least one convention, by facilitating the exchange between at least one meeting planner client and at least one attendee client comprising:

a. means for receiving, from the at least one meeting planner client, and means for electronically storing at a central website, convention content information for a plurality of conventions;

b. means for receiving at the central website from the at least one attendee client a selection for convention content information of one convention from the plurality of conventions; and

c. means for releasing from the central website to the at least one attendee client the selected convention content information.

41. The system according to

claim 40

further comprising means for receiving at the central website, from at least one exhibitor client, convention search, selection and registration information for at least one convention.

42. The system according to

claim 40

further comprising means for receiving at the central website from an exhibitor client exhibit content information including exhibit booth design and content.

43. A method for conducting at least one convention, by facilitating the exchange between at least one administrator and at least one attendee client comprising the steps of:

a. receiving, from the at least one administrator, and electronically storing at a central website, convention content information for a plurality of conventions;

b. receiving at the central website from the at least one attendee client a selection for convention content information of one convention from the plurality of conventions; and

c. releasing from the central website to the at least one attendee client the selected convention content information.

44. The method according to

claim 43

wherein the at least one administrator is a meeting planner client.

45. The method according to

claim 44

wherein the at least one meeting planner client is a plurality of meeting planner clients.

46. The method according to

claim 43

wherein the at least one attendee client is a plurality of attendee clients.

47. The method according to

claim 43

wherein the convention content information is cyber-based.

48. The method according to

claim 43

wherein the convention content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

49. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of storing in a relational database cross-referencing fields from the administrator to allow for the holding of an unlimited number of conventions.

50. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising, prior to step b, the steps of receiving at the central website a search request from the attendee client for certain convention content information and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search request.

51. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising, prior to step c, the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the convention.

52. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of using attendee client information to alert attendee clients of future conventions that may be of interest to them.

53. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website, from at least one exhibitor client, convention search, selection and registration information for at least one convention.

54. The method according to

claim 53

wherein the at least one exhibitor client is a plurality of exhibitor clients.

55. The method according to

claim 53

further comprising the step of storing cross-referencing fields from the convention content information in a relational database to allow an unlimited number of exhibitor clients.

56. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the administrator session content information.

57. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the steps of receiving at the central website a request for certain client session content information from the attendee client for and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search request.

58. The method according to

claim 57

wherein the session content information is cyber-based.

59. The method according to

claim 57

wherein the session content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

60. The method according to

claim 57

further comprising the step of providing attendee client participation in the session.

61. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website a search request from the attendee client for session information and releasing to the attendee client such information.

62. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the session.

63. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from an exhibitor client exhibit content information including exhibit booth design and content.

64. The method according to

claim 63

wherein the exhibit content information is cyber-based.

65. The method according to

claim 63

where in the exhibit content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

66. The method according to

claim 63

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client an exhibit booth selection.

67. The method according to

claim 66

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client exhibit booth design and content.

68. The method according to

claim 66

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the exhibit booth selection.

69. The method according to

claim 63

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client a search request for certain exhibit booth design and content and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search.

70. The method according to

claim 63

wherein the at least one exhibitor client is a plurality of exhibitor clients.

71. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the administrator paper presentation content information.

72. The method according to

claim 71

wherein the paper presentation content information is cyber-based.

73. The method according to

claim 71

wherein the paper presentation content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

74. The method according to

claim 69

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client paper presentation content information.

75. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the administrator meeting proceedings content information.

76. The method according to

claim 75

wherein the meeting proceedings content information is cyber-based.

77. The method according to

claim 75

wherein the meeting proceedings content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

78. The method according to

claim 75

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client meeting proceedings content information.

79. The method according to

claim 43

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the administrator cyber broadcast content information.

80. The method according to

claim 79

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client cyber broadcast content information.

81. The method according to

claim 43

wherein a plurality of conventions are facilitated from the central website.

82. A method for conducting at least one convention, by facilitating the exchange between at least one meeting planner client and at least one attendee client comprising the steps of:

a. receiving, from the at least one meeting planner client, and electronically storing at a central website, convention content information for the at least one convention;

b. receiving at the central website from the at least one attendee client a selection for convention content information of the at least one convention; and

c. releasing from the central website to the at least one attendee client the selected convention content information.

83. The method according to

claim 82

wherein the at least one meeting planner client is a plurality of meeting planner clients.

84. The method according to

claim 82

wherein the at least one attendee client is a plurality of attendee clients.

85. The method according to

claim 82

wherein the convention content information is cyber-based.

86. The method according to

claim 82

wherein the convention content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

87. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of storing in a relational database cross-referencing fields from the meeting planner client to allow for the holding of an unlimited number of conventions.

88. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising, prior to step b, the steps of receiving at the central website a search request from the attendee client for certain convention content information and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search request.

89. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising, prior to step c, the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the convention.

90. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of using attendee client information to alert attendee clients of future conventions that may be of interest to them.

91. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website, from at least one exhibitor client, convention search, selection and registration information for at least one convention.

92. The method according to

claim 91

wherein the at least one exhibitor client is a plurality of exhibitor clients.

93. The method according to

claim 91

further comprising the step of storing cross-referencing fields from the convention content information in a relational database to allow an unlimited number of exhibitor clients.

94. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the meeting planner client session content information.

95. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the steps of receiving at the central website a request for certain client session content information from the attendee client for and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search request.

96. The method according to

claim 95

wherein the session content information is cyber-based.

97. The method according to

claim 95

wherein the session content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

98. The method according to

claim 95

further comprising the step of providing attendee client participation in the session.

99. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website a search request from the attendee client for session information and releasing to the attendee client such information.

100. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the session.

101. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from an exhibitor client exhibit content information including exhibit booth design and content.

102. The method according to

claim 101

wherein the exhibit content information is cyber-based.

103. The method according to

claim 101

wherein the exhibit content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

104. The method according to

claim 101

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client an exhibit booth selection.

105. The method according to

claim 104

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client exhibit booth design and content.

106. The method according to

claim 104

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the exhibit booth selection.

107. The method according to

claim 101

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client a search request for certain exhibit booth design and content and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search.

108. The method according to

claim 101

wherein the at least one exhibitor client is a plurality of exhibitor clients.

109. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the meeting planner paper presentation content information.

110. The method according to

claim 109

wherein the paper presentation content information is cyber-based.

111. The method according to

claim 109

wherein the paper presentation content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

112. The method according to

claim 109

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client paper presentation content information.

113. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the meeting planner meeting proceedings content information.

114. The method according to

claim 113

wherein the meeting proceedings content information is cyber-based.

115. The method according to

claim 113

wherein the meeting proceedings content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

116. The method according to

claim 113

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client meeting proceedings content information.

117. The method according to

claim 82

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the meeting planner cyber broadcast content information.

118. The method according to

claim 111

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client cyber broadcast content information.

119. The method according to

claim 82

wherein a plurality of conventions are facilitated from the central website.

120. A method for conducting at least one convention, by facilitating the exchange between at least one administrator and at least one attendee client comprising the steps of:

a. receiving, from the at least one administrator, and electronically storing at a central website, convention content information for the at least one convention;

b. receiving at the central website from the at least one attendee client a selection for convention content information of the at least one convention; and

c. releasing from the central website to the at least one attendee client the selected convention content information.

121. The method according to

claim 120

wherein the at least one administrator is a meeting planner client.

122. The method according to

claim 121

wherein the at least one meeting planner client is a plurality of meeting planner clients.

123. The method according to

claim 120

wherein the at least one attendee client is a plurality of attendee clients.

124. The method according to

claim 120

wherein the convention content information is cyber-based.

125. The method according to

claim 120

wherein the convention content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

126. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of storing in a relational database cross-referencing fields from the administrator to allow for the holding of an unlimited number of conventions.

127. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising, prior to step b, the steps of receiving at the central website a search request from the attendee client for certain convention content information and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search request.

128. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising, prior to step c, the steps of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the convention.

129. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of using attendee client information to alert attendee clients of future conventions that may be of interest to them.

130. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website, from at least one exhibitor client, convention search, selection and registration information for at least one convention.

131. The method according to

claim 130

wherein the at least one exhibitor client is a plurality of exhibitor clients.

132. The method according to

claim 130

further comprising the step of storing cross-referencing fields from the convention content information in a relational database to allow an unlimited number of exhibitor clients.

133. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the administrator client session content information.

134. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the steps of receiving at the central website a request for certain client session content information from the attendee client for and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search request.

135. The method according to

claim 134

wherein the session content information is cyber-based.

136. The method according to

claim 134

wherein the session content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

137. The method according to

claim 134

further comprising the step of providing attendee client participation in the session.

138. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website a search request from the attendee client for session information and releasing to the attendee client such information.

139. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the session.

140. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from an exhibitor client exhibit content information including exhibit booth design and content.

141. The method according to

claim 140

wherein the exhibit content information is cyber-based.

142. The method according to

claim 140

wherein the exhibit content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

143. The method according to

claim 140

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client an exhibit booth selection.

144. The method according to

claim 143

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client exhibit booth design and content.

145. The method according to

claim 143

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the attendee client information necessary to register for the exhibit booth selection.

146. The method according to

claim 140

further comprising the steps of receiving at the central website from the attendee client a search request for certain exhibit booth design and content and releasing to the attendee client information satisfying the search.

147. The method according to

claim 140

wherein the at least one exhibitor client is a plurality of exhibitor clients.

148. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the administrator paper presentation content information.

149. The method according to

claim 148

wherein the paper presentation content information is cyber-based.

150. The method according to

claim 148

wherein the paper presentation content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

151. The method according to

claim 148

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client paper presentation content information.

152. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the administrator meeting proceedings content information.

153. The method according to

claim 152

wherein the meeting proceedings content information is cyber-based.

154. The method according to

claim 152

wherein the meeting proceedings content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

155. The method according to

claim 152

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client meeting proceedings content information.

156. The method according to

claim 120

further comprising the step of receiving at the central website from the administrator cyber broadcast content information.

157. The method according to

claim 156

further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client cyber broadcast content information.

158. The method according to

claim 120

wherein a plurality of conventions are facilitated from the central website.