Method for using computers to facilitate and control the creating of a plurality of functions

• US 20050044009A1
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Function Media LLC
• Original Assignee: Function Media LLC
• Inventors: Dean, Michael A., Stone, Lucinda
• Granted Patent: US 7,240,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0214 Referral reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0276 Advertisement creation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• 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 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus that allows competing as well as complementing suppliers, vendors, service providers, purveyors, and other types of sellers internal inventory management as well as controlled design and publication of presentations for external near real-time interactive access to buyer-centered presentation, sales, distribution, and confirmation systems as well as other traditional media advertising and outreach. The Automated Media Presentation Generator including a Publication and Placement Control Engine, integrates a Distributed Sales and Inventory Control structure with Processing and Communications Resource Saver, and further provides a Reservation, Access, and Verification System replacing traditional ticket and confirmation methods.

Claims

1. A method of using a network of computers to facilitate and control the creating and publishing of presentations to a plurality of media venues while minimizing required input, comprising:

a) a media database having a list of available media venues;

b) a presentation rules database having corresponding creative guidelines of the media venues;

c) means for transmitting said presentations to the selected media venues;

d) means for the sellers selection of the media venues;

e) means for sellers inputting information; and

whereby a person may choose one or more media venues, create a presentation or presentations that comply with said media venues guidelines, and transmit the presentation or presentations to the selected media venues for publication.

2. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a seller database has a list of sellers.

3. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a means for creating structured presentations from sellers information for the media venues.

4. ) The method of claim 3 wherein a means for sellers transferring said created presentations to the media venues for publishing.

5. ) The method of claim 1 wherein said media venues inputs said creative guidelines and information.

6. ) The method of claim 1 wherein means of said media venues receives sellers presentations.

7. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a media buyers database has a list of media buyers.

8. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a media transactions database has a list of all media transactions.

9. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a media inventory database has a list of all media inventory.

10. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a presentations database contains created presentations.

11. ) The method of claim 1 wherein an inventories database contains available inventory.

12. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a transaction database contains transactions made.

13. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a method of buyers'"'"' selection and purchase of goods and services is offered by sellers.

14. ) The method of claim 13 wherein a transaction database contains records of the purchases of goods and services made.

15. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a means of purchasing the goods or services offered is provided.

16. ) The method of claim 1 wherein the media database having a list of available media includes corresponding editorial, design and publication standards.

17. ) The method of claim 1 wherein the media database having a list of available media includes corresponding pricing and media inventory availability.

18. ) The method of claim 1 wherein said presentations to be featured through selected media venues are transferred to them.

19. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a computer is used to control and facilitate the network of computers.

20. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a computer is used to control and facilitate creation and distribution of all presentations to media venues.

21. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising a means of automatically creating open-access electronic presentations.

22. ) The method of claim 1 further comprising a means of publishing open-access presentations electronically.

23. ) The method of claim 1 wherein a computer is used to present dynamic presentations electronically.

24. ) A method for using computers to control sales and inventory while reducing required processing resources comprising:

a) setting of total available inventory;

b) setting of notification level of total available inventory;

c) establishing buffer inventory;

d) monitoring inventory levels;

e) notifying seller of sales;

f) allocating available inventory; and

g) preventing over allocation of inventory.

25. ) The method of claim 24 wherein communications allow for on-demand or on-event transmission of information without the overhead of constant communications.

26. ) The method of claim 24 wherein on-demand transactions without confirming communications are allowed.

27. ) The method of claim 24 wherein a computer is used to monitor transactions and facilitate the allocation of inventory.

28. ) The method according to claim 24 wherein a seller of goods or services can control sales and inventory with reduced processing resources without being required to maintain constant communications with points of sale.

29. ) A method of using a network of computers to facilitate and control access to events or functions comprising:

a) utilizing a buyer'"'"'s existing identification documents;

b) combining a buyer'"'"'s inputting existing identification information with purchase information;

c) transmitting said buyer'"'"'s identification information to seller;

d) verifying by the seller the buyer'"'"'s identification to allow admittance to event or function utilizing existing identification.

30. ) The method of claim 29 wherein:

a) a biometric identification is utilized to identify the buyer;

b) verifying the buyer'"'"'s identification by seller to allow admittance to an event or function utilizing said biometric identification.

31. ) A method of using a network of computers to allow holders of identification documents to use said documents in combination with biometric identification for purchasing goods and services comprising:

a) utilizing a buyer'"'"'s existing identification documents;

b) combining a buyer'"'"'s purchase information with biometric identification at point of sale;

c) transmitting said information to a central computer;

d) verifying by the central computer of said biometric identification against a database of identification and credit information;

e) verifying by the central computer of credit availability; and

f) notifying the seller of acceptance or rejection of purchase.