WO2002001406A1

WO2002001406A1 - Business directory

Info

Publication number: WO2002001406A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000747
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rao Sudhindra
Original assignee: Instant Pages Pty Limited
Priority date: 2000-06-23
Filing date: 2001-06-22
Publication date: 2002-01-03
Also published as: AUPQ833500A0

Abstract

A business directory (10) includes a database (13, 14) which is operative to store a plurality of business data files each including identiy data (21) identifying a particular business, product data identifying the goods or services provided by that business, and availability data (23) identifying the availability of the goods or services provided by that business during a predetermined period. The system also includes a user interface (20) operative to allow a user to submit a query to the database to identify businesses which have specified products or services available during a specified period; and searching means (11) operative in response to a query to return to the interface an identity listing which identifies those businesses which according to the business data files, have the specified products or services available during the specified period.

Description

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Technical Field The present invention relates generally to a business directory and more specifically to a system and method to enable access to current information relating to goods and services provided by businesses listed in the directory.

Traditional business directories are a consolidated list of businesses which are advertising goods or services for sale or hire. The directory is usually indexed under categories relating to the goods or services provided by the business so that a user may search through the directory using the goods or services category to obtain a list of businesses which provide the desired goods or services.

Business directories have traditionally been in paper form, but more recently have been available in an electronic form. However, to date the electronic versions of these business directories have substantially same functionality as the earlier paper form. A problem with traditional business directories is that they do not give any current information relating to the goods or services provided by the business. As such, whilst the traditional business directories are adequate in locating businesses which may provide particular goods or services, it is still necessary to separately contact that business to obtain any current details on the particular goods or service. This can be a time consuming task.

Summary of the Invention An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved business directory which allows a user to access more relevant information relating to the business and in particular the goods or services provided by that business. According to a first aspect the present invention provides a database which is operative to store a plurality of business data files -each including identity data identifying a particular business, product data identifying the goods or services provided by that business, and availability data identifying the availability of the goods or services provided by that business during a predetermined period; a user interface operative to allow a user to submit a query to the database to identify businesses which have specified products or services available during a specified period; and searching means operative in response to a query to return to the interface an identity listing which identifies those businesses which according to the business data files, have the specified products or services available during the specified period.

A business directory according to the present invention allows a user to obtain much more relevant information as it not only identifies businesses which may provide particular goods or services but is designed to provide information on the capacity of that business to provide those goods or services within a particular time period. As such, the system has the ability to be able to increase the efficiency of the market place and result in better and more cost effective inventory control systems and a reduction in machinery/man hours downtime. For example, the system provides a mechanism to inform and communicate with a potential purchaser, the immediate capability to fulfil a purchaser's requirement for whatever dedicated goods and/or services that the vendor specialises in. In the case of goods and/or services with limited shelf life eg fresh produce and cooked foods, or services charged out by the hourly rate, the opportunity cost incurred by the vendor in not finding a buyer at the right time is high. The system of the invention facilitates simultaneous access by a multiple number of potential buyers, who will be able to view the vendors availability and thus establish immediate contact.

In a preferred form, the directory is designed so that businesses are able to advertise in the directory when they have excess capacity to provide their goods or services. On requesting an advertisement, the business data file for that business is then placed on the database with the availability data indicating the capacity of that business.

In a preferred form, the directory is operative such that the business data files are removed from the database after a specified period. In one form, each business data file is designed to be removed from the database after a preset time such as every day. In another form, the length of time may be varied depending on the nature of the goods or services that the business provides or by the advertised availability of those goods or services. In either respect the advantage of this arrangement is that within the parameters of the specified time, the information remains current by requiring advertisers to resubmit their request for entry onto the directory at regular intervals. To facilitate uploading of the business data files onto the database, in a preferred form, the directory includes an active database which is able to be queried by the user interface, and a members database which is able to maintain at least some of the data contained in the business data files. In one form, the members database includes both the identity data and the product data. In this respect, advertisers who are already included on a members database merely need to provide information regarding their excess capacity to make up the availability data to establish the business data file for entry on the active database.

In one form, the directory includes a plurality of product or service categories and the product data of the business data file indexes that business under a specific category of product or service.

In a preferred form, the directory is operative to generate an advertising page which includes information relating to the availability of the goods or services which are provided by business. The page is generated from the business data file of that business and preferably also includes information relating to the identity of the business and the goods or services being provided.

The directory is also operative to generate an identity listing which is operative to identify a particular business which is included on the active data base. Again preferably this identity listing is generated from the business data file. In a preferred form, the result data generated in response to a user query is in a form of identity listings which identify businesses which meet the search criteria relating to the provision of goods or services in the specified period.

Preferably the identity listing provides sufficient information to enable a user to reference the associated advertising page for that business. This may be achieved in any suitable form. In a preferred form, where the user interface is a computer, this is done by way of a hypertext link or the like.

The directory may be accessed in different ways. For example, advertisers or users may access the interface via a computer over a network such as the Internet. In addition, or as an alternative, advertisers or users may submit or receive information from the directory over the telephone using WAP or SMS protocols or the like. Furthermore operators of the directory may establish a call centre, where advertisers may submit requests or update their information, or where users may submit or receive information from the directory by call centre operators.

In a preferred form, the operators of the directory are not involved in any of the actual transactions between the users and the advertisers. Rather the directory merely provides information which facilitates that transaction. In view of this, preferably systems are in place to enable the accuracy of the information held on the active database, particularly in relation to the availability of particular goods or services, to be regularly audited.

In a preferred form, the directory is operative to provide an audit list based on users' access to the database. This audit list can then be used by operators of the directory to confirm whether the information on the database is still current.

In a preferred form, the processing means is operative to generate an entry on the audit list based on the type of the product or service being provided and/or the type of information retrieved from the database. In one form, an entry is made in the audit list if the contact details appearing on an advertising page are accessed by a user. Further it is preferable that an entry on an audit list is made if a call centre operator gives out contact details of an advertiser to a user or arranges for that user to be placed into direct contact with the advertiser. In either of the above arrangements, there is a relatively high probability that the user will obtain the products or services from the advertiser and therefore necessitate that the availability data relating to that advertiser's goods or services be updated.

Preferably, entries on the audit list may be obtained from a population list, which is generated through operation of the directory. Preferably, each time an advertising page is accessed by a user, an entry identifying the business to which that advertising page relates is made on the population list. Preferably the entries made on the population list are separated depending on whether the goods or services are time sensitive or time perishable. Time sensitive goods are those goods or services that are charged on a time basis, whereas time perishable goods are goods or services that have value only when consumed within a set time frame. Preferably the population list is updated regularly with the time perishable list updated more frequently than the time sensitive list. Once updated, these population lists can be added to the audit list. However if the population list is over a set number, a random selection of entries in the population list may be made so as to reduce the entries on the audit list.

Once the audit list is generated, it can be then used by operators of the directory to confirm with the advertisers that their availability data is current. In this way the directory provides a facility to maintain the integrity of the data entered on the active database.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention relates to a database for a business directory. The database includes a plurality of business data files each including identity data providing information on the identity of the business, product data providing information on the goods or services of the business, and availability data providing information relating to the availability of the goods or services provided by the business during a predetermined period.

In yet a further aspect, the invention relates to a user interface for a business directory, the user interface being operative to be connected to a database to allow a user to query the database to identify businesses listed in the database that have specified goods or services available during a specified period.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of enabling access to information on the availability of goods or services provided by a business, the method includes providing a database containing a plurality of business data files each including identity data providing information on the identity of the business, product data providing information on the goods or services of the business, and availability data providing information relating to the availability of the goods or services provided by the business during a predetermined period, and providing means to enable a user to query the database to identify businesses listed in the database that have specified goods or services available during a specified period.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of maintaining the accuracy of availability data in a business directory, the business directory including: a database which is operative to store a plurality of business data files each including identity data identifying a particular business, product data identifying the goods or services provided by that business, and availability data identifying the availability of the goods or services provided by that business during a predetermined period; a user interface operative to allow a user to submit a query to the database to identify businesses which have specified products or services available during a specified period; searching means operative in response to a query to return to the interface an identity listing which identifies those businesses which according to the business data files, have the specified products or services available during the specified period; the method including the steps of: adding at least one entry identifying a business data file to an audit list; contacting the business identified by the business data files identified in the audit list and obtaining feedback regarding the accuracy of the availability data included in the business data files; and modifying the availability data in response to the feedback.

Brief Description of Drawings It will be convenient to hereinafter describe an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the particularity of these drawings and the related description does not supersede the preceding broad description of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the business directory system; Figure 2 is an illustration of an example of an advertising page used in the business directory system;

Figure 3 is a flowchart detailing a search process;

Figure 4 is a search interface for the system;

Figure 5 shows the results obtained from a search query; Figure 6 is a flowchart detailing how a user interacts with the system;

Figure 7 is a flowchart detailing how an advertiser interacts with the system;

Figure 8 is a flowchart detailing the operation carried out at a call centre of the system;

Figure 9 is a flowchart detailing how advertisements in the system are reviewed;

Figure 10 is a flowchart detailing how advertisements in the system are audited; Figure 11 is a table showing sample size selection; and Figure 12 is a graph showing sample size selection. Detailed Description of the Invention As shown in Figure 1, a business directory system 10 is disclosed which is designed to allow users to obtain information relating to goods and/or services provided by businesses entered on the system. The system 10 includes a central server 11 which is programmed to interact with user interfaces 12 such as personal computers, mobile phones or the like. The central server 11 is connected to the interface 12 with which it interacts by a network such as the Internet. Further included in the system is an active database 13 which contains information relating to each business which is currently advertising in the directory 10. The information for each business includes data identifying the business, data identifying the goods or services provided by the business and data relating to the availability of the goods or service provided by the business during a specified period. The data on the active database is operative under control of the server 11 to submit an identifying listing 38 to the user interface which identifies a business, or to submit an advertising page 20 which provides more detailed information on that business including the availability of goods or services provided by the business. Also included is a member database 14 which holds details of persons who have registered as an advertiser with the system.

In addition, the system includes a call centre 15 where operators work to assist or enable users and advertisers alike in their use of the system. Also included is a central processing bureau 16 from where the system is administered.

Figure 2 shows the layout of an example of an advertising page 20 for a business which is generated from the active database. There is provided an area 21 where contact details for the advertisers are displayed. In addition, there is provided an area 22 where the nature and price of the particular goods or services are displayed and an area 23 where the availability of these goods or services at particular times and on particular days are displayed. The format of this advertising page can vary to allow for the inclusion of other details which may be relevant for specific industries. For example, an advertising page relating to an advertiser who provides freight services will include details of pick-up and drop-off points.

In addition, on the advertising page there is provided facilities 24 whereby the user can send a message to that particular advertiser by way of an SMS message, facsimile or an email message. Optionally, a chat facility may be provided enabling a user to interact directly with an advertiser by exchanging instant text messages.

In addition, a hyperlink may be included in the advertising page which links to a catalogue of available goods or services. In one form of the advertising page or catalogue a user may select goods or services for purchase and initiate the purchase transaction. The details of the user and their purchase will then be forwarded to the relevant advertiser to provide the purchased goods or service. The availability data relating to the products or services purchased is then modified to reflect the reduction in availability due to the purchase.

Users of the system can perform a search of the entries held in the active database 13. This search process is detailed in the flowchart of Figure 3. The search is performed by formulating a search query 50 and submitting this via a user interface 12. Thus, the search query is formulated by a user, and submitted to the central server 11. The central server 11 then interrogates the active database 13 and returns identity listings 52 for businesses which match the criteria of the search query.

The advertisements in the active database 13 are indexed according to at least the location of the advertiser and the particular subject category or sub-category into which the advertisement has been placed. In addition, the advertisements are indexed by the dates and times of availability of the products or services supplied by the respective advertisers.

Figure 4 illustrates a user interface 31 to enable searching of the active database 13. As can be seen the interface allows searching of the database by locations, category or availability through location fields 32, 33 category fields 34, 35 and availability fields 36, 37. Figure 5 shows an example of the identity listings 38 obtained by a user by performing a search on the system. Clicking on one of the results in the listing will cause the relevant advertising page 20 to be displayed.

As can be seen from Figure 6, users may also interact with the system 10 without using a personal computer. There is provided a call centre 15 which users may access by telephone. There, an operator will interrogate the system on behalf of the user and provide verbal feedback regarding the details that are found on the system that meet the user's requirements. If a product or service is found that interests the user, they may opt to be put through to the relevant advertiser or may request contact details for that advertiser. In either case, the call centre operator may firstly telephone the relevant advertiser to confirm that the product or service detailed in the advertisement is still available to the satisfaction of the user's requirements.

A logic flow diagram illustrating the call centre procedure process is detailed in Figure 8. Firstly, the operator receives a call at step 54. Then, the operator determines whether the caller is a member or a user at step 56. In the case of a caller being a user, the operator will determine the users request of the directory and formulate and input an appropriate search query 50 to their own user interface 12 (not shown). The operator will then verbally relay the results of the search to the user in the form of identity listings at step 58. The operator then determines whether the user desires to make further searches at step 60 and either terminates the call 62 or repeats the search process as necessary.

In the case of a caller being a member, they will be required to submit their password and username to the operator who will determine the eligibility of the member at step 64 by entering these details into the system via their own user interface 12 (not shown). If the username and password combination is valid then the operator will proceed to enter or amend details of the availability of the goods or services of that member at step 66 in accordance with the member's verbal instructions. When the operator has made all the changes required by the member, the call is terminated 60.

Alternatively, the user may access the system by way of a WAP enabled telephone or via an interface carried by digital television. Figure 7 illustrates the process of submitting a request for entry on the directory 10. An advertiser must register with the system before they can place an advertisement thereon. This requires that their details be entered into the member database 30. In this way, control may be maintained over persons who are authorised to cause an advertisement to be available to the users.

To become registered, a prospective advertiser must cause their contact details to be entered into the member database 30. They may do this using a personal computer that is configured to interact with the central server 11. Alternatively, they may register by telephoning the call centre 15 where an operator will cause their details to be entered into the member database 30. Still further, they may send their details to the central processing bureau 16 by letter, facsimile or email, which instructions will be acted upon by a staff member to cause their details to be entered into the member database 30.

Upon registering their details in the member database 30, the prospective advertiser will be supplied with a user name and password combination that are required when placing advertisements.

A registered prospective advertiser can cause an advertisement to be placed on the active database 13 by using a personal computer configured to interact with the central server 11 , or by telephoning the call centre 15. Firstly, the advertiser's eligibility to cause advertisements to be entered into the system is checked. This will require them to submit a user name and a valid password associated with that user name. This user name is then validated against the record held against it in the member database. If the user name is valid, the advertiser will be allowed to proceed to submit details of the advertisement they wish to include. This will include submitting information on the availability of the goods or services provided by that business to establish the required availability data in the active database.

At this stage a payment scheme is implemented. Advertisers must have available credit associated with their user name to post an advertisement. Each time an advertisement is posted, an amount is deducted from their credit. The system employs a method of reviewing advertisements and also a method of auditing advertisements. Both procedures go to ensuring that the availability information provided in the advertisements is accurate.

Each advertisement in the system is valid for a fixed period of time, such as one day. As can be seen in Figure 9, advertisements are reviewed daily to check whether the expiry date of the advertisement is equal to the current date 68. If this is the case, the advertisement is caused to be removed from the active advertising database at the end of that day 70.

The system produces a list of advertisements to be audited. This process is detailed in Figure 10. The audit process is carried out continuously during the operation of the system and is effected by contacting the respective advertisers whose advertisements have been placed on the audit list 40 to verify the ongoing accuracy of the availability of the goods or services of their advertisement.

If an advertising page is accessed 41 by a user or by a call centre operator acting on behalf of a user, details of the advertising page will be placed in one of two population lists. One population list 42 holds details of advertisements relating to time perishable goods or services. These are goods or services that have value only when consumed within a set time frame, such as fresh fish, flowers or scheduled freight services. The other population list 43 holds details of advertisements relating to time sensitive goods or services. These are goods or services that are charged for on a time basis, such as accommodation, hiring services or childcare services.

The number of advertisements in the above population lists is sampled at set time periods. The time perishable population list is sampled every hour. The time sensitive population list is sampled every quarter day. If there are less than fifty advertisements on a population list, the details of these are added to the audit list 40. If there are more than fifty advertisements on a population list, only a subset of these are added to the audit list 40. The size of the subset is determined by a sampling technique such as that detailed in Israel, Glenn D. 1992 Sampling the Evidence of Extension Programme Impact Programme Evaluation and Organisation Development, IFAS, University of Florida. PEOD-5. In this way, the sizes of the sample chosen by the system accord to the values in the table of Figure 11. This is represented again graphically in Figure 12. The particular members of the group to be sampled are chosen by computerised random selection technique.

After each of the above lists has been sampled, all details are removed from the population lists.

If a call centre operator either provides contact details to a user from an advertisement, or transfers a telephone call from a user to an advertiser on the basis of an advertisement, the details of the advertisement in question will be added to the audit list 40. In this event, the system will cause the details of this advertisement to be removed from either of the time perishable population list 42 or the time sensitive population list 43 if they have already been entered therein.

If the SMS, facsimile or email facility on an advertising page is activated 46, the details of the advertisement in question will be added to the audit list 40. In this event, the system will cause the details of this advertisement to be removed from either of the time perishable list 42 or the time sensitive list 43 if they have already been entered therein.

The advertisements listed in the resulting audit list may then be verified for accuracy.

The categories of goods and services that may be included in the directory include the following:

Available Seating at Cafes & Restaurants Seats & Spaces Available - Sports related Seats & Spaces Available - Leisure & Entertainment Seats & Spaces Available - Educational Accommodation - Daily, Rental For Hire

Personal, Domestic Services Building & Construction Services Repair Services Business & Communications Services Industrial Trade Services Industry - Available Spare Capacity Professional Services - Consultants Information Technology & Computers Farm & Animal Services Medical Services Freight and Transportation Services Backloading Availability Budget Travel Casual & Part-Time Permanent - Employment

Accordingly the present invention provides a business directory which not only identifies businesses which may provide particular goods or services but also provides information on the capacity of that business to provide those goods or services within a particular time period. The information from the directory can be accessed in numerous different ways either directly through user interfaces or via call centres. Further the information loaded on the active databases is audited to maintain the credibility and accuracy of the directory.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A business directory including: a database which is operative to store a plurality of business data files each including identity data identifying a particular business, product data identifying the goods or services provided by that business, and availability data identifying the availability of the goods or services provided by that business during a predetermined period; a user interface operative to allow a user to submit a query to the database to identify businesses which have specified products or services available during a specified period; and searching means operative in response to a query to return to the interface an identity listing which identifies those businesses which according to the business data files, have the specified products or services available during the specified period.

2. A business directory according to claim 1 , wherein the database includes an active database which is operative to store the business data files which are searched by the processing means.

3. A business directory according to any preceding claim wherein the database includes a member database which is operative to store the identity data and the product data,

4. A business directory according to any of claims 2 to 3 further including inclusion means which is operative to include a business data file in the active database when the availability data of that business data file identifies availability during a pre-determined period.

5. A business directory according to any preceding claim further including removal means operative to remove business data files from the active database at a pre-determined frequency.

6. A business directory according to claim 5 wherein the pre-determined period is one day.

7. A business directory according to claim 5 wherein the pre-determined period varies depending on the nature of the goods or services identified by the product data included in that business data file.

8. A business directory according to claim 5 wherein the pre-determined period varies depending on the availability of the goods or services identified by the availability data included in that business data file.

9. A business directory according to any preceding claim further including indexing means operative to index a business data file under a specific category of product or service identified by the product data included in that business data file.

10. A business directory according to any preceding claim further including generating means operative to generate an advertising page relating to a business which includes information relating to the availability of the goods or services which are provided by that business identified by the availability data included in a business data file identifying that business.

11. A business directory according to claim 10 wherein the advertising page further includes information relating to the identity of the business identified by the identity data included in that business data file and the goods or services being provided by that business identified by the product data included in that business data file.

12. A business directory according to either of claims 10 or 11 wherein the advertising page further includes purchase means whereby a user can make a purchase of certain goods or services identified by the product data.

13. A business directory according to claim 12 wherein the availability data is operative to be adjusted following the making of a purchase to reflect the reduced availability as a result of that purchase.

14. A business directory according to any preceding claim including a central unit incorporating the database and the searching means which communicates over a communications network with at least one remote device incorporating the user interface.

15. A business directory according to claim 14 wherein the remote device is a personal computer or a mobile phone.

16. A business directory according to either of claims 14 or 15 wherein the communications network uses TCP/IP protocol.

17. A business directory according to any preceding claim wherein the identity listing includes information to enable a user to reference an associated advertising page for that business.

18. A business directory according to claim 17 wherein the information included in the identity listing includes a hyperlink.

19. A business directory according to any preceding claim further including listing means operative to add an entry identifying a business data file to an audit list.

20. A business directory according to claim 19 wherein the listing means is operative to add an entry identifying a business data file to the audit list if the generating means generates an advertising page from that business data file.

21. A business directory according to any of claims 19 or 20 further including populating means operative to add an entry identifying a business data file to a population list.

22. A business directory according to claim 21 wherein the populating means is operative to add an entry identifying a business data file to the population list when the generating means generates an advertising page from that business data file.

23. A business directory according to any of claims 20 or 21 wherein the populating means is operative to add entries identifying a business data file to the population list at a pre-determined frequency.

24. A business directory according to claim 23 wherein the pre-determined frequency is higher for business data files identifying time perishable goods or services than for business data files identifying time sensitive goods or services.

25. A business directory according to any of claims 21 to 24 further including transferral means operative to transfer entries in the population list to the audit list at a pre-determined frequency.

26. A business directory according to claim 25 wherein the transferral means transfers a random selection of entries from the population list to the audit list if the number of entries in the population list exceeds a predetermined number.

27. A database when used in a business directory according to any preceding claim.

28. A method of enabling access to information on the availability of goods or services provided by a business, the method includes the steps of providing a database containing a plurality of business data files each including identity data providing information on the identity of the business, product data providing information on the goods or services of the business, and availability data providing information relating to the availability of the goods or services provided by the business during a predetermined period, and providing means to enable a user to query the database to identify businesses listed in the database that have specified goods or services available during a specified period.

29. A method of maintaining the accuracy of availability data in a business directory, the business directory including: a database which is operative to store a plurality of business data files each including identity data identifying a particular business, product data identifying the goods or services provided by that business, and availability data identifying the availability of the goods or services provided by that business during a predetermined period; a user interface operative to allow a user to submit a query to the database to identify businesses which have specified products or services available during a specified period; and searching means operative in response to a query to return to the interface an identity listing which identifies those businesses which according to the business data files, have the specified products or services available during the specified period; the method including the steps of: adding at least one entry identifying a business data file to an audit list; contacting the businesses identified by the business data files identified in the audit list and obtaining feedback regarding the accuracy of the availability data included in the business data files; and modifying the availability data in response to the feedback.

30. A method according to claim 29 further including the step of adding an entry identifying a business data file to the audit list when an advertising page is generated from that business data file.

31. A method according to either of claims 29 or 30 further including the step of transferring entries from a population list to the audit list at a pre-determined frequency.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the pre-determined frequency is higher for business data files identifying time perishable goods or services than for business data files identifying time sensitive goods or services.

33. A method according to any of claims 30 to 31 wherein a random selection of entries is transferred from the population list to the audit list if the number of entries on the population list exceeds a pre-determined number.

34. A business directory substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35. A method of enabling access to information on the availability of goods or services provided by a business substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. A method of maintaining the accuracy of availability data in a business directory substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.