Method and system for configurating products

• US 20010047312A1
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Verchere
• Original Assignee: Regency Ventures Ltd.
• Inventors: Verchere, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,844,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for configuring products, such as branded promotional products, where products may be divided into items and processes. Item parameters and process parameters may be separately specified and linked together to create a unique product where a product identifier (e.g., SKU) may be dynamically created when the product is sourced, quoted, ordered or otherwise accessed. For example, an item may involve a product to which an imprint or logo is to be affixed. A process may involve a screening printing process or other process for affixing a customer'"'"'s artwork, logo or identifier. In addition, the method and system of the present invention may be applied to other applications, such as office supplies, furniture, aviation supplies, marine supplies, interior design, beauty salon and spa supplies, medical office supplies, restaurant and bar supplies, gift shops and clothing boutique, and other industries where products and services may be ordered.

Claims

1. A method for configurating one or more products comprising the steps of:

providing a database containing product information;

separating a product into at least an item and a process wherein one or more item parameters and one or more process parameters are identified;

linking item parameters and process parameters; and

creating a product identifier when the product is accessed.

2. The method of

claim 1

wherein the step of separating the product further comprises the step of supplying an item template.

3. The method of

claim 1

wherein the step of separating the product further comprises the step of supplying a process template.

4. The method of

claim 2

wherein the step of separating the product further comprises the step of creating an item definition page based on the item template.

5. The method of

claim 3

wherein the step of separating the product further comprises the step of creating a process definition page based on the process template.

6. The method of

claim 1

wherein a pricing algorithm assigns prices based on predetermined production specifications.

7. The method of

claim 1

wherein parameters comprise description information.

8. The method of

claim 1

wherein parameters comprise quantity break pricing information.

9. The method of

claim 1

wherein parameters comprise pricing information.

10. The method of

claim 1

wherein the step of creating a product identifier comprises dynamically creating the product identifier when the product is sourced, quoted or ordered.

11. A system for configurating one or more products comprising:

a database containing product information;

separating means for separating a product into at least an item and a process wherein one or more item parameters and one or more process parameters are identified;

linking means for linking item parameters and process parameters; and

creating means for creating a product identifier when the product is accessed.

12. The system of

claim 11

wherein the separating means for separating the product further comprises means for supplying an item template.

13. The system of

claim 11

wherein the separating means for separating the product further comprises means for supplying a process template.

14. The system of

claim 12

wherein the separating means for separating the product further comprises means for creating an item definition page based on the item template.

15. The system of

claim 13

wherein the separating means for separating the product further comprises means for creating a process definition page based on the process template.

16. The system of

claim 11

wherein a pricing algorithm assigns prices based on predetermined production specifications.

17. The system of

claim 11

wherein parameters comprise description information.

18. The system of

claim 11

wherein parameters comprise quantity break pricing information.

19. The system of

claim 11

wherein parameters comprise pricing information.

20. The system of

claim 11

wherein the creating means for creating a product identifier comprises dynamically creating the product identifier when the product is sourced, quoted or ordered.