Automated convention processing system and method

• US 6,557,007 B1
• Filed: 11/15/1999
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Expo Group LP
• Original Assignee: Pekowski Enterprises, L.P.
• Inventors: Hurley, April E., Moorehead, Michael S., Pekowski, Randall J., Kleinfall, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Black, Linh
• Application Number:
  US09/440,601
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1-10, 707/100-104, 705/1-2, 705/5-6, 705/26-29, 705/42-43, 705/53, 705/402-404, 705/409-410, 345/751, 345/753, 345/759, 364/401, 340/825.34, 235/472
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A convention processing system is provided that includes a database operable to store show information identifying at least one show in which a plurality of exhibitors will exhibit their wares, service information identifying a plurality of services available to the exhibitors at the show, supplier information identifying at least one supplier for each service and a plurality of suppliers for at least one service, and at least one item for each service, the item identifying a particular type of the service, a price for the item and a supplier for the item. The system further includes a transaction engine operable to access the database. The transaction engine is also operable to display the services for the show, receive a selection of a service, display a list of items for the service, receive a selection of an item for an exhibitor, store the selection of the item as an order, add the price for the item to a balance for the exhibitor, and display an updated account summary for the exhibitor.

Claims

1. A convention processing system comprising software stored on a computer-readable medium, the convention processing system comprising:

a database operable to store show information identifying at least one show in which a plurality of exhibitors will exhibit their wares, service information identifying a plurality of services available to the exhibitors at the show, supplier information identifying at least one supplier for each service and a plurality of suppliers for at least one service, and at least one item for each service, the item identifying a particular type of the service, a price for the item and a supplier for the item; and

a transaction engine operable to access the database and to display the services for the show, receive a selection of a service, display a list of items for the service, receive a selection of an item for an exhibitor, store the selection of the item as an order, add the price for the item to a balance for the exhibitor, and display an updated account summary for the exhibitor.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing at least one division for each show and a plurality of divisions for at least one show; and

the transaction engine operable to store data independently for each of the plurality of divisions for the at least one show.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing a discount price and a full price for each item and a discount date for the show; and

the transaction engine operable to select either the discount price or the full price to add to the exhibitor'"'"'s balance by comparing an order date to the discount date.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing a discount date;

a discount percent for each show, the discount percent applied to the price of items ordered before the discount date;

a control date for the show, the control date specifying a date before which an estimated quantity of items to be ordered is estimated and after which an actual quantity of items is ordered;

an amount of a first estimated payment for a first estimated quantity of items, the first estimated payment received from a first exhibitor prior to the control date and the discount date; and

an amount of a second estimated payment for a second estimated quantity of items, the second estimated payment received from a second exhibitor prior to the control date and after the discount date; and

the transaction engine operable to determine a first actual price after the control date based on the discount percent and the actual quantity of items ordered by the first exhibitor and to credit a difference between the amount of the first estimated payment and the first actual price to the first exhibitor'"'"'s balance and to determine a second actual price after the control date based on the actual quantity of items ordered by the second exhibitor and to credit a difference between the amount of the second estimated payment and the second actual price to the second exhibitor'"'"'s balance.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing master item information identifying at least one master item, the master item comprising a plurality of sub-items, and a price for the master item; and

the transaction engine operable to display a list of master items, receive a selection of a master item for an exhibitor, store the selection of the master item as an order including each of the sub-items, and add the price for the master item to the exhibitor'"'"'s balance.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing booth information identifying a plurality of booths for the show, the booths comprising pre-defined areas for the exhibition of wares by the exhibitors at the show; and

the transaction engine operable to assign at least one booth to at least one exhibitor, assign at least one booth to a plurality of exhibitors, assign a plurality of booths to at least one exhibitor, and associate each item ordered by an exhibitor with a booth.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

the database storing a placement grid for each booth, the placement grid a graphic representation of the booth; and

the transaction engine operable to receive a selection of an item for a specified booth for the exhibitor, display for at least a subset of the items the placement grid for the specified booth, and receive a selection of a location on the placement grid for the item.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising the database storing a booth assignment for each booth, each booth assignment comprising information identifying the exhibitor to whom the booth was assigned and information identifying the items associated with the booth.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

the database storing a first booth assignment for a first booth; and

the transaction engine operable to change booth assignments by providing to the database for storage a second booth assignment for a second booth, the second booth assignment comprising the information stored in the first booth assignment, and by removing the first booth assignment from the database.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing an account for each exhibitor; and

the transaction engine operable to automatically record a single note to each account in a show.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing a service charge for items in a service, the service charge comprising a fixed amount; and

the transaction engine operable to automatically add the service charge to the exhibitor'"'"'s balance when an item in the service is ordered.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing a service charge for items in a service, the service charge comprising either a percentage of the price for the items or a minimum amount; and

the transaction engine operable to, when an item in the service is ordered, compare the percentage of the price to the minimum amount to determine the service charge and automatically add the service charge to the exhibitor'"'"'s balance.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transaction engine operable to associate an out of stock flag with an out of stock item and remove from the list of items displayed the out of stock item.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transaction engine operable to assign one or more accounting codes to each service.

15. The system of claim 1, the show information comprising a show identification number.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transaction engine operable to associate a plurality of options with an item and display the associated options when the item is selected.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transaction engine operable to receive a plurality of items and store the plurality of items as a single order.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transaction engine operable to add a cost for the item to a balance for the supplier.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

the database storing an advanced cost and a floor cost for each item and a floor date for the show; and

the transaction engine operable to select either the advanced cost or the floor cost to add to the supplier'"'"'s balance, the advanced cost or the floor cost selected based on a comparison of the floor date to an order date.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

the database storing a plurality of customer types, the customer types including an exhibitor and an organizer, an exhibitor cost comprising an advanced exhibitor cost and a floor exhibitor cost for each item, an organizer cost comprising an advanced organizer cost and a floor organizer cost for each item, and a floor date for the show; and

the transaction engine operable to receive an order for an item from a customer;

to select either the exhibitor cost or the organizer cost for the item based on the customer type;

for the exhibitor cost, to select either the advanced exhibitor cost or the floor exhibitor cost to add to the supplier'"'"'s balance, the advanced exhibitor cost or the floor exhibitor cost selected based on a comparison of the floor date to an order date; and

for the organizer cost, to select either the advanced organizer cost or the floor organizer cost to add to the supplier'"'"'s balance, the advanced organizer cost or the floor organizer cost selected based on a comparison of the floor date to an order date.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising the transaction engine operable to determine in real-time an exhibitor profit margin and an organizer profit margin, the exhibitor profit margin based on the exhibitor cost and the organizer profit margin based on the organizer cost.

22. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

the database storing a cancellation date and a cancellation percentage; and

the transaction engine operable to cancel an order for an item by crediting the exhibitor'"'"'s balance for the entire price of the item or for a specified portion of the price of the item, the specified portion of the price based on the cancellation percentage and the entire price of the item or the specified portion of the price of the item selected based on a comparison of the cancellation date to a date on which the order is canceled.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

the database storing a supplier cancellation date and a supplier cancellation percentage; and

the transaction engine operable to cancel an order for an item by debiting the supplier'"'"'s balance for the entire cost of the item or for a specified portion of the cost of the item, the specified portion of the cost based on the supplier cancellation percentage and the entire cost of the item or the specified portion of the cost of the item selected based on a comparison of the supplier cancellation date to a date on which the order is canceled.

24. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transaction engine operable to associate a tax flag with a taxable item.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

the database storing at least one taxable item, the taxable item subject to a sales tax;

at least one taxable service, the taxable service subject to at least one service tax;

at least one taxed supplier, the taxed supplier subject to a supplier tax;

a plurality of taxes, the taxes comprising a show tax for each taxable item, one or more service taxes for each item in a taxable service, and a supplier tax for each item supplied by a taxed supplier; and

the transaction engine operable to include the show tax for each taxable item, the service tax for each item in a taxable service, and the supplier tax for each item supplied by a taxed supplier.

26. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing a base amount for each show and credit card information for a plurality of exhibitors; and

the transaction engine operable to compare the exhibitor'"'"'s balance for each of the plurality of exhibitors to the base amount and to automatically charge the credit cards for each exhibitor with a balance greater than the base amount.

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing a customized prompt for at least one item; and

the transaction engine operable to display the customized prompt to an exhibitor when a selection for the item is received.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising the transaction engine operable to require a response from the exhibitor to the customized prompt.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing at least one labor item, a labor item requiring the performance of labor, and a labor menu; and

the transaction engine operable to display the labor menu in response to an exhibitor selecting a labor item and to receive a request from the exhibitor for a time for the labor to be performed.

30. The system of claim 1, the show information comprising an Internet link to a web-site for an organizer of the show.

31. The system of claim 1, the show information comprising a file location for a file containing a logo for an organizer of the show and the transaction engine operable to display the logo to an exhibitor.

32. The system of claim 1, the show information comprising a file location for a file containing a floor plan of the show and the transaction engine operable to display the floor plan to an exhibitor.

33. The system of claim 1, further comprising the transaction engine operable to receive information relating to an exhibitor problem and to generate a trouble ticket in response to the received information.

34. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing freight information identifying at least one freight order for the show, the freight information comprising a status and a weight for the freight order; and

the transaction engine operable to track the status of the freight order and provide the status to an exhibitor in real-time.

35. The system of claim 34, further comprising the transaction engine operable to receive information relating to an exhibitor problem and to generate a trouble ticket in response to the received information, the trouble ticket comprising a service trouble ticket and a missing freight ticket, and operable to generate a service trouble ticket for problems relating to an item and to generate a missing freight ticket for problems relating to a freight order.

36. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the database storing a plurality of batches of deposits and an account for each exhibitor, each account comprising an account name and a balance; and

the transaction engine operable to create batches of deposits, match a payment from an exhibitor with a batch, and search the accounts by account name or balance.

37. A method for convention processing, comprising:

storing show information identifying at least one show in which a plurality of exhibitors will exhibit their wares;

storing service information identifying a plurality of services available to the exhibitors at the show;

storing supplier information identifying at least one supplier for each service and a plurality of suppliers for at least one service;

storing at least one item for each service, the item identifying a particular type of the service, a price for the item, and a supplier for the item;

displaying the services for the show;

receiving a selection of a service;

displaying a list of items for the service;

receiving a selection of an item for an exhibitor;

storing the selection of the item as an order;

adding the price for the item to a balance for the exhibitor; and

displaying an updated account summary for the exhibitor.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising storing division information identifying at least one division for each show and a plurality of divisions for at least one show.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

storing a discount price and a full price for each item and a discount date for the show; and

selecting either the discount price or the full price to add to the exhibitor'"'"'s balance, the discount price or the full price selected based on a comparison of the discount date to an order date.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

storing a discount date;

storing a discount percent for each show, the discount percent applied to the price of items ordered before the discount date;

storing a control date for the show, the control date specifying a date before which an estimated quantity of items to be ordered is estimated and after which an actual quantity of items is ordered;

receiving from a first exhibitor a first estimated payment for a first estimated quantity of items prior to the control date and the discount date;

receiving from a second exhibitor a second estimated payment for a second estimated quantity of items prior to the control date and after the discount date;

after the control date, determining a first actual price based on the discount percent and the actual quantity of items ordered by the first exhibitor;

after the control date, determining a second actual price based on the actual quantity of items ordered by the second exhibitor;

crediting a difference between the first estimated payment and the first actual price to the first exhibitor'"'"'s balance; and

crediting a difference between the second estimated payment and the second actual price to the second exhibitor'"'"'s balance.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing in real-time information regarding shipments of freight, the information including weight and status.

42. The method of claim 37, displaying a list of items for the service comprising displaying at least one master item, the master item comprising a plurality of sub-items such that selection of the master item results in an order for each of the sub-items.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing a plurality of booths, the booths comprising pre-defined areas for the exhibition of wares by exhibitors at the show.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

providing for at least a subset of the items a placement grid, the placement grid a graphic representation of a booth; and

receiving a selection of a location on the placement grid for the item.

45. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

assigning at least one booth to at least one exhibitor;

assigning at least one booth to a plurality of exhibitors;

assigning a plurality of booths to at least one exhibitor; and

associating each item ordered by an exhibitor with a booth.

46. The system of claim 45, further comprising storing a booth assignment for each booth, each booth assignment comprising information identifying the exhibitor to whom the booth was assigned and information identifying the items associated with the booth.

47. The system of claim 46, further comprising:

storing a first booth assignment for a first booth;

changing booth assignments by storing a second booth assignment for a second booth, the second booth assignment comprising the information stored in the first booth assignment.

48. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving a selection for a plurality of items; and

storing the selection of the plurality of items as a single order.

49. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

providing a plurality of customer types, the customer types including an exhibitor and an organizer;

storing a floor date for the show;

storing an exhibitor cost comprising an advanced exhibitor cost and a floor exhibitor cost for each item;

storing an organizer cost comprising an advanced organizer cost and a floor organizer cost for each item;

selecting either the exhibitor cost or the organizer cost based on the customer type;

for an exhibitor cost, selecting either the advanced exhibitor cost or the floor exhibitor cost for adding to the supplier'"'"'s balance, the advanced exhibitor cost or the floor exhibitor cost selected based on a comparison of the floor date to an order date; and

for an organizer cost, selecting either the advanced organizer cost or the floor organizer cost for adding to the supplier'"'"'s balance, the advanced organizer cost or the floor organizer cost selected based on a comparison of the floor date to an order date.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising determining in real-time an exhibitor profit margin and an organizer profit margin, the exhibitor profit margin based on the exhibitor cost and the organizer profit margin based on the organizer cost.

51. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

storing a base amount for each show;

storing credit card information for a plurality of exhibitors;

comparing the exhibitor'"'"'s balance for each of the plurality of exhibitors to the base amount; and

automatically charging the credit cards for each exhibitor with a balance greater than the base amount.

52. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

displaying a list of items for the service comprising displaying at least one labor item, a labor item requiring the performance of labor; and

in response to a labor item being selected, displaying a labor menu for receiving a request from an exhibitor for a time for the labor to be performed.

53. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

storing a cancellation date and a cancellation percentage;

receiving a cancellation request for an order for an item;

crediting the exhibitor'"'"'s balance for the entire price of the item or for a specified portion of the price of the item, the entire price of the item or the specified portion of the price of the item selected based on a comparison of the cancellation date to a date on which the order is canceled; and

for crediting the specified portion of the price, determining the specified portion of the price based on the cancellation percentage.

54. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

storing an account for each exhibitor, each account comprising an account name and a balance;

creating and storing a plurality of batches of deposits;

matching a payment from an exhibitor with a batch; and

searching the accounts by account name or balance.

55. A method for receiving an order from an exhibitor at a computer terminal remote from a convention processing system that stores services for a show at which a plurality of exhibitors will exhibit their wares and that stores at least one item for each service, comprising:

displaying a list of services for the show;

receiving a selection of a service;

displaying a list of items for the service by displacing at least one master item, the master item comprising a plurality of sub-items such that a selection of the master item results in a selection of each of the sub-items;

receiving a selection of an item;

transmitting the selection of the item as an order to the convention processing system;

receiving from the convention processing system an automatically generated updated account summary including the order; and

displaying the updated account summary.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

providing a plurality of booths, the booths comprising pre-defined areas for the exhibition of wares by exhibitors at the show;

providing for at least a subset of the items a placement grid, the placement grid a graphic representation of a booth; and

receiving a selection of a location on the placement grid for the item.

57. The method of claim 55, displaying a list of items for the service comprising displaying at least one labor item, the labor item comprising an item requiring the performance of labor, the method further comprising receiving a request for a time for the labor to be performed.

58. The method of claim 55, further comprising displaying a floor plan of the show.

59. A method for receiving an order from an exhibitor at a computer terminal remote from a convention processing system that stores services for a show at which a plurality of exhibitors will exhibit their wares and that stores at least one item for each service, comprising:

transmitting to the computer terminal for display a list of services for the show;

receiving from the computer terminal a selection of a service;

transmitting to the computer terminal for display a list of items for the service by transmitting to the computer terminal for display at least one master item, the master item comprising a plurality of sub-items such that a selection of the master item, results in a selection of each of the sub-items;

receiving from the computer terminal a selection of an item as an order;

automatically generating an updated account summary including the order; and

transmitting to the computer terminal for display the updated account summary.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

providing a plurality of booths, the booths comprising pre-defined areas for the exhibition of wares by exhibitors at the show;

transmitting to the computer terminal for display a placement grid for at least a subset of the items, the placement grid a graphic representation of a booth; and

receiving from the computer terminal a selection of a location on the placement grid for the item.

61. The method of claim 59, transmitting to the computer terminal for display a list of items for the service comprising transmitting to the computer terminal for display at least one labor item, the labor item comprising an item requiring the performance of labor, the method further comprising receiving from the computer terminal a request for a time for the labor to be performed.

62. The method of claim 59, further comprising transmitting to the computer terminal for display a floor plan of the show.