Online exhibition center

• US 20020013738A1
• Filed: 06/05/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: C & W Management ApS
• Original Assignee: C & W Management ApS
• Inventors: Vistisen, Jan
• Application Number:
  US09/874,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20020013738A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

An online exhibition system is provided that overcomes the barriers to establishment of an online exhibition center and enables the online exposition of products and services on the Internet. The system provides a virtual exhibition center that is customized based on the number and nature of the exposition and on the exhibitors themselves. The system creates a clickable floor plan graphic that may be automatically created based on inputs such as the number of participants, the relative size of the participants, the amount of money invested for advertising space, the amount of exhibition space reserved, as well as other factors. Further, participants may bid on the right to place banner advertising as strategic locations on the site. Still further, a highlighting feature is provided that highlights the names of member companies that pay a premium for such service.

Claims

1. A computer system that enables a method of hosting an online exposition of products and/or services, the method comprising the steps of;

(a) Inputting exhibitor data;

(b) Using the exhibitor data to create a visual representation of a floor plan of an exposition center; and

(c) Presenting exhibitors and visitors with a communication means by which commerce can be facilitated.

2. A computer system that enables a method of hosting an online exposition of products and/or services, the system providing a means to bid on the right to place banner advertising, wherein the method includes the additional steps of soliciting bids, evaluating bids to determine a winning bid, informing the winning bid of this fact, inputting banner advertising related graphical and textual information;

publishing the banner advertisement in association with the exposition center.