Electronic proposal preparation system for selling computer equipment and copy machines
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A computer-based system for generating a customized proposal for selling computer equipment to particular customers, the system comprising:
- a) input means for receiving information identifying a customer'"'"'s desired features and uses of the computer equipment, the input means includingi) means for presenting the customer with a plurality of questions relating to features and uses of the computer equipment, andii) means for receiving a plurality of answers to the questions, the answers specifying the customer'"'"'s desired computer equipment features and uses;
b) receive means for electronically receiving computer equipment pictures, computer equipment environment pictures, and text segments;
c) processing means for gathering computer equipment information for use in generating the customized proposal, the processing means includingi) means for electronically selecting a particular computer equipment picture in response to at least one of the answers,ii) means for electronically selecting a particular computer equipment environment picture in response to at least one of the answers, andiii) means for electronically selecting a particular text segment in response to at least one of the answers; and
d) output means, coupled to the receive means and the processing means, for receiving the gathered computer equipment information and for compiling the gathered computer equipment information into the customized proposal.
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Abstract
An electronic system for creating customized product proposals stores a plurality of pictures and text segments to be used as building blocks in creating the proposal. The pictures may include various products, environments in which the products may be used, and available product options. The text segments may include textual descriptions of the product, environments in which the product may be used, and its performance specifications. The system queries a user to determine a customer'"'"'s needs and interests. Based upon the answers to the queries, the system selects the appropriate picture and text building blocks to fill in proposal templates. The system can print the completed proposal templates to provide the user with a customized, printed proposal that describes features and benefits of a product, in a particular environment, that are of interest to the customer who is to receive the proposal.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. A computer-based system for generating a customized proposal for selling computer equipment to particular customers, the system comprising:
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a) input means for receiving information identifying a customer'"'"'s desired features and uses of the computer equipment, the input means including i) means for presenting the customer with a plurality of questions relating to features and uses of the computer equipment, and ii) means for receiving a plurality of answers to the questions, the answers specifying the customer'"'"'s desired computer equipment features and uses; b) receive means for electronically receiving computer equipment pictures, computer equipment environment pictures, and text segments; c) processing means for gathering computer equipment information for use in generating the customized proposal, the processing means including i) means for electronically selecting a particular computer equipment picture in response to at least one of the answers, ii) means for electronically selecting a particular computer equipment environment picture in response to at least one of the answers, and iii) means for electronically selecting a particular text segment in response to at least one of the answers; and d) output means, coupled to the receive means and the processing means, for receiving the gathered computer equipment information and for compiling the gathered computer equipment information into the customized proposal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer-based system for generating a customized proposal for selling copy equipment to particular customers, comprising:
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a) input means for receiving information identifying a customer'"'"'s desired features and uses of the copy equipment, the input means including i) means for presenting the customer with a plurality of questions relating to features and uses of the copy equipment, and ii) means for receiving a plurality of answers to the questions, the answers specifying the customer'"'"'s desired copy equipment features and uses; b) receive means for electronically receiving copy equipment pictures, copy equipment environment pictures, and text segments; c) processing means for gathering copy equipment information for use in generating the customized proposal, the processing means including i) means for electronically selecting a particular copy equipment picture in response to at least one of the answers, ii) means for electronically selecting a particular copy equipment environment picture in response to at least one of the answers, and iii) means for electronically selecting a particular text segment in response to at least one of the answers; and d) output means, coupled to the receive means and the processing means, for receiving the gathered copy equipment information and for compiling the gathered copy equipment information into the customized proposal. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A computer implemented method of generating a customized proposal for selling equipment to particular customers, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving in the conjurer information identifying a customer'"'"'s desired equipment features and uses, by i) presenting the customer with a plurality of questions relating to features and uses of the equipment, and ii) receiving in the computer a plurality of answers to the questions, the answers specifying the customer'"'"'s desired equipment features and uses; b) storing equipment pictures, equipment environment pictures, and text segments in the computer; c) retrieving equipment information for use in generating the customized proposal, by i) electronically selecting in the computer a particular equipment picture in response to at least one of the answers, ii) electronically selecting in the computer a particular equipment environment picture in response to at least one of the answers, and iii) electronically selecting in the computer a particular text segment in response to at least one of the answers; and d) automatically compiling the gathered equipment information in the computer into the customized proposal. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63)
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Specification