Method and system for conducting a plurality of cyber-based conventions

• US 7,702,720 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1999
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: D&P Ventures, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Software Management, Inc.
• Inventors: Franke, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siddiqi, Mohammad A
• Application Number:
  US09/869,513
• Time in Patent Office: 3,764 Days
• Field of Search: 709203-205, 709/312, 709/229, 705/8, 705/9, 705/20, 705/26, 705/27, 705/37, 705/28, 705/80
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation

Abstract

A method and system for conducting multiple Internet-based conventions, events, conferences, trade shows and meetings (“conventions”) includes a plurality of meeting planner clients (102), exhibitor/sponsor clients (103) and attendee clients (101), all using web browser computers and a central website server (200) on the Internet (104). The system receives and stores initial convention data, and control parameter rules from meeting planner clients (102). Then the system receives and stores exhibit booth display data and control parameter rules for said convention from exhibitor/sponsor clients (103). Based on search criteria provided by the participating attendee client (101), the central website server (200) releases stored database convention information and provides a wide array of convention activity simulated with the program instructions and the databases. Thus, the system allows the creation of a “virtual convention venue” for conventions that exist only on the central website server (200) and available using the Internet (104). Additionally, the system supports and augments a convention being held in a physical or venue-based center (e.g., Moscone Center in San Francisco).

Claims

1. A method for conducting, augmenting or any combination thereof at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof on the Internet, by facilitating the exchange between at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof and at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving, from the at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof with a web browser computer, and electronically storing in at least one convention venue database at a central website server for providing central website server system processing, at least one convention activity policy, display ad placement order, display ad keyword or any combination thereof and convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information for the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof;

b. processing at the central website server by virtual convention website program instructions using the at least one convention activity policy, display ad placement order, display ad keyword or any combination thereof to differentiate the navigational flow and use of the convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information among an array of convention, display ad or any combination thereof activity,

c. after performing the processing of step b, receiving, from the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof with a web browser computer at the central website server, a selection for convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information of the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof; and

d. releasing from the central website server to the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof the selected convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof with a web browser computer is a plurality of meeting planner clients, administrators, exhibitors, sponsors or any combination thereof with web browser computers.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, with a web browser computer is a plurality of attendee clients, site visitors, users or any combination thereof, with web browser computers.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information is cyber-based.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information is one of cyber-based or venue-based.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof is a plurality of conventions, trade shows, display ad networks or any combination thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising, prior to step c, the steps of receiving at the central website server a search request from the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, for certain convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information and releasing to the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, information satisfying the search request.

8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising, prior to step d, the steps of receiving at the central website server from the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, information necessary to register for the convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof.

9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of using attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, information to alert attendee clients, site visitors, users or any combination thereof, of future conventions, trade shows, display ad networks or any combination thereof that may be of interest to them.

10. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving, from at least one exhibitor client with a web browser computer, sponsor client with a web browser computer or any combination thereof, at the website server convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof search, selection and registration information for at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the at least one exhibitor client with a web browser computer, sponsor client with a web browser computer or any combination thereof is a plurality of exhibitor clients with web browser computers, sponsor clients with web browser computers or any combination thereof.

12. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of storing cross-referencing fields from the convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information in a relational database to allow an unlimited number of exhibitor clients, sponsor clients or any combination thereof.

13. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server from the meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof session content information.

14. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of receiving at the central website server a request for certain session content information from the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, and releasing to the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, information satisfying the search request.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the session content information is cyber-based.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein the session content information is venue-based.

17. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of providing attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, participation in the session.

18. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server a search request from the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, for session information and releasing to the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, such information.

19. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server from the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, information necessary to register for the session.

20. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving, from at least one exhibitor client with a web browser computer, sponsor client with a web browser computer or any combination thereof, at the website server, exhibit, display ad or any combination thereof content information including exhibit booth, display ad or any combination thereof design and content.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the exhibit, display ad or any combination thereof content information is cyber-based.

22. The method according to claim 20 wherein the exhibit, display ad or any combination thereof content information is one of cyber-based and venue-based.

23. The method according to claim 20 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server from the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, an exhibit booth, display ad or any combination thereof selection.

24. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, exhibit booth, display ad or any combination thereof design and content.

25. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server from the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, information necessary to register for the exhibit booth, display ad or any combination thereof selection.

26. The method according to claim 20 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server from the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, a search request for certain exhibit booth design and content and releasing to the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, information satisfying the search.

27. The method according to claim 20 wherein the at least one exhibitor client with a web browser computer, sponsor client with a web browser computer or any combination thereof is a plurality of exhibitor clients with web browser computers, sponsor clients with web browser computers or any combination thereof.

28. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server from the meeting planner, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof paper presentation content information.

29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the paper presentation content information is cyber-based.

30. The method according to claim 28 wherein the paper presentation content information is one of either cyber based or venue-based.

31. The method according to claim 28 further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, paper presentation content information.

32. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server from the meeting planner, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof meeting proceedings content information.

33. The method according to claim 32 wherein the meeting proceedings content information is cyber-based.

34. The method according to claim 32 wherein the meeting proceedings content information is venue-based.

35. The method according to claim 32 further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, meeting proceedings content information.

36. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at the central website server from the meeting planner, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof cyber broadcast content information.

37. The method according to claim 36 further comprising the step of releasing to the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, cyber broadcast content information.

38. The method according to claim 1 wherein the convention content information is convention and visitor bureau content information.

39. A method for conducting, augmenting or any combination thereof at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof on the Internet, by facilitating the exchange between at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof and at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving, from the at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof with a web browser computer, and electronically storing in at least one convention venue database at a central website server for providing central website server system processing, at least one convention activity policy, display ad placement order, display ad keyword or any combination thereof and convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information for the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof;

b. processing at the central website server by the virtual convention venue website program instructions using the at least one convention activity policy, display ad placement order, display ad keyword or any combination thereof and the convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information to build, design, load, control or any combination thereof at least one Internet advertising ad display for the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof;

c. after performing the processing of step b, receiving, from the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof with a web browser computer at the central website server, a selection for convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information of the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof; and

d. releasing from the central website server to the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, the at least one Internet advertising ad display.

40. The method according to claim 39 further comprising the step of tracking in the at least one virtual convention venue database measurements concerning the attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, visits at the at least one Internet advertising ad display.

41. A system for conducting, augmenting or any combination thereof at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof on the Internet, by facilitating the exchange between at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof and at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, the system comprising:

a. means for receiving, from the at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof with a web browser computer, and electronically storing in at least one convention venue database at a central website server for providing central website server system processing, at least one convention activity policy, display ad placement order, display ad keyword or any combination thereof and convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information for the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof;

b. means for processing at the central website server by virtual convention website program instructions using the at least one convention activity policy, display ad placement order, display ad keyword or any combination thereof to differentiate the navigational flow and use of the convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information among an array of convention, display ad or any combination thereof activity;

c. means for receiving, from the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof with a web browser computer at the central website server, a selection for convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information of the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof; and

d. means for releasing from the central website server to the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof the selected convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information.

42. The system according to claim 41 further comprising means for receiving, from at least one exhibitor client with a web browser computer, sponsor client with a web browser computer or any combination thereof, at the website server convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof search, selection, and registration information for at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof.

43. A system for conducting, augmenting or any combination thereof at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof on the Internet, by facilitating the exchange between at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof and at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, the system comprising the steps of:

a. means for receiving, from the at least one meeting planner client, administrator, exhibitor, sponsor or any combination thereof with a web browser computer, and electronically storing in at least one convention venue database at a central website server for providing central website server system processing, at least one convention activity policy, display ad placement order, display ad keyword or any combination thereof and convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information for the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof;

b. means for processing at the central website server by the virtual convention venue website program instructions using the at least one convention activity policy, display ad placement order, display ad keyword or any combination thereof and the convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information to build, design, load, control or any combination thereof at least one Internet advertising ad display for the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof;

c. means for receiving, from the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof with a web browser computer at the central website server, a selection for convention, display ad or any combination thereof content information of the at least one convention, trade show, display ad network or any combination thereof; and

d. means for releasing from the central website server to the at least one attendee client, site visitor, user or any combination thereof, the at least one Internet advertising ad display.