System and method for enabling jewelry certification at local jeweler sites

Patent Abstract
A system and method for managing retail sales of jewelry items and providing customers with warranties concerning their purchased jewelry items is disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the system includes means for recording information relating to the retail sales of jewelry items by a primary company to customers. The system also includes means for providing customers with certificates relating to their respective purchased jewelry items, where each of the certificates represents a warranty with respect to at least one of the purchased jewelry items, and where the warranty is backed by a secondary company. The system further includes means for allowing access to at least some of the recorded information subsequent to purchase transactions, where the recorded information in at least some circumstances includes pertinent certificate information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving an inquiry from the additional entity off of the internet, wherein the inquiry specifies at least one jewelry-related criterion; and obtaining from the database a portion of the jewelry-related information satisfying the at least one jewelry-related criterion, wherein the portion of the jewelry-related information is then provided onto the internet for receipt by the additional entity.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one jewelry-related criterion is selected from the group consisting of: a certificate number, a range of certificate numbers, a type of jewelry item, a stock number, a jewel carat weight, a jewel color rating, a jewel clarity rating, a jewel cut, a laboratory identifier, a laboratory number, an overall carat weight, a style number, a vendor name, a replacement value, a retail value, a validation number, an item type, a center gem type, a jewelry item description, and jewel purchaser-identifying information.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the portion of the jewelry-related information is provided onto the internet in the form of a webpage that is configured to result in a presentation of the portion of the jewelry-related information in a table having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the portion of the jewelry-related information can be displayed in a variety of orders, and wherein the order of display of the portion of the jewelry-related information can be modified in response to a selection of a heading corresponding to a column of the table.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the jewelry-related information that is provided includes thumbnail images of jewelry items.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein each of the certificate numbers displayed in connection with the webpage is selectable, and upon one of the certificate numbers being selected, an image of a corresponding one of the certificates is further provided onto the internet for receipt by the computer system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional entity is a customer, and wherein the jewelry-related information that is provided relates to a subset of the jewelry items that have been purchased by the customer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the jewelry-related information is provided onto the internet in the form of a webpage that includes a scrollable list of images relating to the subset of the jewelry items and further includes an additional region that displays a part of the jewelry-related information concerning a selected one of the jewelry items.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the part of the jewelry-related information that is displayed includes at least one of a certificate issue date concerning a certificate corresponding to the selected one jewelry item, service information regarding when the selected one jewelry item was or should be serviced, appraisal information regarding when the selected one jewelry item was or should be appraised, a purchase date of the selected one jewelry item.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the webpage further is configured to display at least one of a hyperlink to information corresponding to another jewelry item related to the selected one jewelry item, a selection button to send the part of the jewelry-related information to another location, and a selection button to delete the part of the jewelry-related information.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional entity is a customer, and wherein the jewelry-related information that is provided relates to a subset of the jewelry items that are available for purchase by the customer.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving both an additional certificate number pertaining to an additional certificate, and a validation number; and recording an indication in the database that the additional certificate has been validated and is now in force, subsequent to a purchasing of an additional jewelry item corresponding to the additional certificate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the following is true: the additional certificate number is received off of the internet after being entered by at least one of a retailer and a customer; and the additional certificate number is received at least indirectly after being read through the use of a barcode scanner.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the preparing of at least one of the certificates includes: providing at least one webpage onto the internet regarding creation of the at least one certificate; and receiving at least some of jewelry-related information off of the internet, wherein the received jewelry-related information allows for creation of the at least one certificate.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least some jewelry-related information includes at least one of a certificate number, a number of jewelry items, a number of jewels, an indication of a type of jewelry item, jewelry item descriptive information, a cut of a jewel, a clarity of a jewel, a color of a jewel, a carat weight of a jewel, a total weight of a jewelry item, an indication of whether a jewel is a center or ornamental jewel, a certificate color, a jewelry item photo, a replacement price, a retail price, an internet price, a wholesale price, a jewelry item category, a stock number, a laboratory name, a laboratory identification number, a metal associated with a jewelry item, and a jewelry vendor.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the webpage displays an image of the at least one certificate under creation, the image being updated as additional portions of the jewelry-related information are provided.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising: additionally sending to the computer system at least one of: an email message providing a reminder that a maintenance procedure is due in connection in relation to one of the jewelry items; an email message providing a reminder that one of the jewelry items should be reappraised; an email message providing that one of a holiday and an anniversary date is approaching; and an email message providing alternative product information concerning at least one additional item that is related in some manner to one of the jewelry items.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising: additionally sending to the computer system at least one of: equipment/supply information regarding equipment/supplies that can be purchased; certificate purchasing information regarding purchasing of new certificates; and profile information including at least one of a member number, a name, a number of authorized certificates, a mailing address, a validation number, a telephone number, an email address, certificate usage information, and a warranty/disclaimer.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving off of the internet identification information including at least one of a first name, a last name, a title, a mailing address, an email address, a telephone number, a bank account number, a web address, a fax number, an indication of a type of corporate entity, a federal tax identification number, a date of business formation, and a trade reference.

21. An internet-based system for accumulating, storing and distributing jewelry-related information concerning jewelry items for which certificates have been issued, the system comprising: a database associated with a first entity that at least one of guarantees and provides warranties regarding the jewelry items for which the certificates have been issued, wherein the database stores the jewelry-related information including pertinent certificate identification information; a web server in communication with the database, wherein the web server is configured for communication with the internet so as to receive messages off of the internet and to provide at least one webpage onto the internet, wherein the at least one webpage includes at least one of: a first webpage configured to receive first user-input information identifying a search request concerning the jewelry-related information; a second webpage capable of displaying at least some of the jewelry-related information; and a third webpage capable of receiving second user-input information concerning creation of a new certificate.

22. The internet-based system of claim 21, wherein the second webpage in at least some circumstances is limited to jewelry-related information corresponding to jewelry items purchased by a particular customer, and wherein the at least one webpage further includes at least one of: a log in webpage a webpage displaying operation of a certification program sponsored by the first entity; a webpage including a registration form; a profile listing webpage; a webpage including a certificate purchase form; a webpage allowing for ordering of equipment/supplies; a re-order webpage; a certificate validation webpage; and a maintenance history updating webpage.

23. A system for managing retail sales of jewelry items and providing customers with warranties concerning their purchased jewelry items, the system comprising: means for recording information relating to the retail sales of jewelry items by a primary company to customers; means for providing customers with certificates relating to their respective purchased jewelry items, wherein each of the certificates represents a warranty with respect to at least one of the purchased jewelry items, and wherein the warranty is backed by a secondary company; and means for allowing access to at least some of the recorded information subsequent to purchase transactions, wherein the recorded information in at least some circumstances includes pertinent certificate information.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising at least one of: means for updating the recorded information, the means for updating including a barcode scanner. means for sending reminders to customers subsequent to the purchase transactions.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the means for allowing access enables each of customers, retailers and wholesalers to access at least some of the recorded information.

Patent Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/835,896 filed on Apr. 30, 2004 and entitled "System And Method For Enabling Jewelry Certification At Local Jeweler Sites", which is incorporated by reference herein, and claims the benefit thereof.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the sale of jewelry and, more particularly, to systems and methods for grading and appraising jewelry items such as mounted diamonds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The jewelry industry is a highly-competitive and rapidly changing industry. Due to the relative infrequency with which individual consumers purchase jewelry, due to the wide variations in jewelry types, characteristics and values, and due to the relative difficulty in determining some characteristics associated with jewelry, consumers have difficulty in estimating the quality and value of jewelry items and often find the jewelry purchasing process to be a difficult one that involves a fair amount of apprehensiveness.

[0004] Traditionally, consumers have relied upon trusted local jewelers to explain the intricacies of jewelry to them when the time came for purchasing jewelry, and have also relied upon those jewelers to provide fair estimations of the quality and value of jewelry items that are being purchased. Nevertheless, as relationships have become more impersonal in the modern economy, consumers over time have also grown accustomed to obtaining independent, third-party verification of various characteristics of their jewelry as a supplement to simply relying upon the statements of their personal jewelers.

[0005] In the case of diamonds, for example, several organizations have emerged that are capable of evaluating a given diamond in terms of various diamond characteristics (e.g., cut, clarity, color and carats) and issuing a certificate regarding the diamond's "grade" based upon its characteristics. In some circumstances, the issued certificate also will include an appraisal of the diamond's replacement value or cost, based upon its grade and possibly other information as well. Among the prominent organizations existing for providing such third-party verification of diamonds are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL), the World Gemmological Laboratory and the European Gemmological Laboratory (EGL).

[0006] Obtaining verification of a piece of jewelry's quality/value in this manner is a fairly complicated and costly procedure. The costs of mailing a jewelry item to and from a third-party evaluator, insuring the jewelry item during the process, and paying for the charges of the third-party evaluation can become large (e.g., the fees of the third-party evaluator can themselves be in the range of $40 to $100 per item). In the case of moderately-expensive to expensive jewelry, such as diamonds worth $5000 or more, this is a cost that many consumers and/or jewelry retailers are willing to bear. However, in the case of less expensive to inexpensive jewelry (e.g., jewelry worth under $5000), such costs are typically too excessive to justify the third party evaluation.

[0007] Nevertheless, consumers purchasing less expensive to inexpensive jewelry still often do (or would) desire to have some type of verification or confirmation of the quality/value of jewelry items that they purchase. Some of this has been driven by the emergence of the internet and related e-commerce relating to the sale of jewelry items. Companies such as Blue Nile, Inc. have emerged that allow consumers to purchase jewelry items via the internet without physically visiting a retail outlet or viewing, in person, the jewelry item being purchased before the purchase is made. To allay informational and other concerns that consumers might have about the merchandise being purchased, such internet-based jewelry retailers have offered consumers grading/appraisal certificates regarding the jewelry being purchased.

[0008] As this internet jewelry trade has become more established, the desire on the part of consumers for similar grading/appraisal information in other, non-internet jewelry retail venues has increased. Consequently, as department stores and chain stores have expanded their capability to sell jewelry, particularly jewelry in this less expensive to inexpensive category, they have attempted to meet this consumer desire by offering identification certificates for the jewelry being sold and also, in some circumstances, providing an indication of "replacement value" on the certificates.

[0009] While appearing to provide valuable information to consumers, these certificates provided by department stores and chain stores are sometimes of limited actual value. Grading of the jewelry as indicated on the certificates may sometimes be performed in an inconsistent or "bulk-quantity" manner with few governing standards. In particular, the grade provided for an individual item of jewelry may not be determined at the time of purchase based upon an evaluation of that specific jewelry item but rather may be based upon a typical or average grade determined a priori for a group of jewelry items of which the specific jewelry item is one example. Indications of "replacement value" also may be determined in a relatively inconsistent or "bulk-quantity" manner that does not necessarily reflect the particular piece of jewelry under consideration. Further, since the grade and replacement value information indicated on such certificates is determined by the individual department store(s) or chain store(s) themselves, it may not always be appropriate to presume that this information is independent and unbiased.

[0010] Despite these concerns associated with department and chain store-issued jewelry certificates, consumers nevertheless perceive these certificates to have value, often simply because of the large size and prominent market reputations of particular department stores and store chains. For this reason, independent jewelry stores are coming under increased competitive pressure from department stores and chain stores, particularly with respect to the sale of less-expensive to inexpensive jewelry. Further, consumers who might otherwise benefit from the expertise and individualized customer care offered by independent jewelers are sometimes forgoing these benefits, in order to obtain these perceived benefits associated with department and chain store-issued certificates.

[0011] For at least these reasons it would be advantageous if a new system and method could be developed that allowed independent jewelers to provide, in a simple and cost-effective manner, information to consumers regarding the grade, quality and/or value of their jewelry, particularly (although not limited to) jewelry in the less expensive to inexpensive price range. It further would be advantageous if such information could be generated in a consistent, reliable manner and/or in a manner with sufficient safeguards such that, regardless of whether the information was actually determined by an independent third-party, the information properly could be considered to be accurate and unbiased and could be marketed to consumers as such. Also, it would be advantageous if such information could be provided to consumers in a format that buttressed consumers' sense of the value of the information. Further, it would be advantageous if such information, and other information, relating to purchased jewelry items and the certificates pertaining to those jewelry items could be easily collected, stored, accessed and/or updated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present inventors have recognized that, despite the fact that independent local jewelers are generally capable of making competent determinations regarding the grade/quality/value of jewelry items by themselves, there nevertheless remains a need for a system or method that would enable independent local jewelers to provide such grade/quality/value information to consumers in a simple, inexpensive manner that not only satisfied consumer desires in terms the presentation, format, or appearance of such information but also satisfied consumer desires for having accurate, unbiased and independent information.

[0013] Having recognized this need, as well as the general competency of independent local jewelers in making determinations regarding the grade/quality/value of jewelry items, the inventors have further recognized that this need can be satisfied by (i) providing independent local jewelers with a standardized or semi-standardized process and/or system for creating/providing certificates (or similar printed materials) to customers concerning the grade, quality and/or value of individual jewelry items at the local points of sale, e.g., within the local jewelry stores themselves; (ii) providing customers with an independent, third-party guarantee or warranty that the certificates are accurate, such that refunds or other benefits are provided to customers who demonstrate that certificates issued to them are incorrect; and (iii) empowering the third party guarantor/insurer with the ability to take stringent enforcement actions against those local jewelry stores that mistakenly (or fraudulently) happen to issue incorrect certificates, thereby maintaining the reputation and integrity of the overall certificate-issuance system.

[0014] In at least some embodiments, the system for creating certificates includes a set of first local system components that include both a printer for printing certificates and a user interface by which information concerning the jewelry items can be input for printing onto certificates by way of the printer, the information typically (though not necessarily) being input to the terminal by the local independent jeweler at which the first local system components are located. In at least some embodiments, the printer is further at least temporarily in communication with a camera device by which one or more photographs of jewelry items can be obtained, and the printer in turn is able to print graphical images of the jewelry items on the certificates in addition to other information.

[0015] In at least some additional embodiments, these local system components are in communication with a remote, central terminal by way of the internet or other communication network(s), and information regarding jewelry items as well as possibly software program information and related data for operating the camera device, printer and other local system components can flow between the central terminal and the local system components. The remote, central terminal can be operated, for example, by a third-party guarantor/insurer of the certificates. In at least some embodiments, portions of the information at the central terminal can further be accessed by a variety of other users, consumers, guarantors, insurers/reinsurers or independent jewelers using their own local system components of various types. In some of these embodiments, such other parties can access the information by way of the internet, where the central terminal (or other appropriate device operated or controlled by the third-party) operates as a web server capable of sending webpages to web clients of those other parties and receiving information therefrom.

[0016] In particular, the present invention relates to an internet-based method for accumulating, storing and providing jewelry-related information. The method includes preparing a plurality of certificates relating to jewelry items, where the certificates contain jewelry-related information including respective certificate numbers and respective other information regarding the jewelry items. The method additionally includes storing the certificate numbers and the information regarding the jewelry items in a database that is at least one of operated and controlled by a first entity that serves to offer at least one of guarantees and warranties in relation to the certificates. The method further includes providing at least some of the jewelry-related information onto the internet for receipt by a computer system that is at least one of operated and controlled by an additional entity that is at least one of a retailer, a wholesaler and a customer.

[0017] The present invention further relates to an internet-based system for accumulating, storing and distributing jewelry-related information concerning jewelry items for which certificates have been issued. The system includes a database associated with a first entity that at least one of guarantees and provides warranties regarding the jewelry items for which the certificates have been issued, where the database stores the jewelry-related information including pertinent certificate identification information. The system also includes a web server in communication with the database, where the web server is configured for communication with the internet so as to receive messages off of the internet and to provide at least one webpage onto the internet. The at least one webpage includes at least one of: a first webpage configured to receive first user-input information identifying a search request concerning the jewelry-related information; a second webpage capable of displaying at least some of the jewelry-related information; and a third webpage capable of receiving second user-input information concerning creation of a new certificate.

[0018] Additionally, the present invention relates to a system for managing retail sales of jewelry items and providing customers with warranties concerning their purchased jewelry items. The system includes means for recording information relating to the retail sales of jewelry items by a primary company to customers, and means for providing customers with certificates relating to their respective purchased jewelry items, where each of the certificates represents a warranty with respect to at least one of the purchased jewelry items, and where the warranty is backed by a secondary company. The system further includes means for allowing access to at least some of the recorded information subsequent to purchase transactions, where the recorded information in at least some circumstances includes pertinent certificate information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 shows in schematic form a first embodiment of a system for providing information to consumers regarding characteristics of jewelry items;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows in schematic form a second embodiment of a system for providing information to consumers regarding characteristics of jewelry items, which includes certain local components in communication with a remote, central terminal;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps of operation of the system of FIG. 2; and

[0022] FIGS. 4-34 are exemplary screen shots of webpages of a website that is made available to consumers, retailers and/or wholesalers utilizing the system of FIG. 2 or a similar system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, components of a first exemplary system 10 for providing printed information to consumers regarding jewelry items such as a first jewelry item 12 are shown. In the embodiment shown, the system 10 includes a camera device 14, a computer terminal 22 providing a user interface, and a printing device 50. The camera device 14, which is supported upon a stand 16, is capable of taking images and/or otherwise obtaining image-related information concerning the first jewelry item 12. In preferred embodiments, the camera device 14 is able to obtain and provide image data on a very rapid (or immediate or nearly immediate) basis. In the embodiment shown, the first jewelry item 12 is also supported by the stand 16, by way of a ledge 18 and various support arms 20. However, in alternate embodiments, the jewelry item 12 can be supported by way of another support device than that shown and need not be supported by the stand 16 for the camera device 14.

[0024] The camera device 14 is intended to be representative of any of a variety of devices capable of obtaining image information that is suitable for obtaining image information regarding imaging characteristics of jewelry items such as the jewelry item 12. The camera device 14, therefore can be representative of a variety of digital cameras, film photography cameras, moving picture cameras such as camcorders and video cameras, and a variety of other devices. Depending upon the embodiment, the camera device 14 can be understood to include the stand 16 (and ledge 18 and support arms 20).

[0025] Also included within the system 10 is the computer terminal 22 that includes an input/output interface 24, a memory unit 26, and a processing unit 28, which can be, for example, a microprocessor or other computer processor or other processing device known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The computer terminal 22 additionally includes a video screen 30 on which can be displayed various information (e.g., text information as well as graphical information) and a keyboard 32. In the embodiment shown, the computer terminal 22 further includes a peripheral input device shown to be a mouse 34 that is coupled to the rest of the computer terminal 22 by the input/output interface 24. The computer terminal 22 is capable of receiving the image information regarding the first jewelry item 12 from the camera device 14 by way of a communication link 36 coupling the camera device 14 and the computer terminal 22. Additionally, the computer terminal 22 is capable of receiving additional information regarding the first jewelry item 12 as input by a user by way of the keyboard 32 and/or the mouse 34.

[0026] The jewelry item 12 is intended to be representative of any of a variety of different types of jewels and jewelry items including, for example, precious stones (for example, diamonds, rubies, emeralds), rings, pieces of jewelry having jewels embedded therewithin, necklaces, and a variety of other types of jewelry made of a variety of materials such as gold, silver and platinum. In the example where the first jewelry item 12 is a diamond as shown in FIG. 1, the user input information that is entered by way of a user at the keyboard 32 and/or the mouse 34 can be, for example, information such as that shown on the screen 30, namely, jewelry identification information (e.g., a diamond identification number) 38, a diamond cut 40, a diamond color rating 42, a diamond clarity grading 44, a diamond carat value 46 and an estimated monetary value of the diamond 47 (e.g., in the example shown, the diamond is number 135A, and is a H color, VS1 princess cut 1.0 carat diamond having an estimated value of $4500).

[0027] In the embodiment shown, each of the types of information 38-47 are input by a user via the keyboard 32 and/or the mouse 34; however, in alternate embodiments, some portions of this information could be obtained in other ways, for example, a color rating for the first jewelry item 12 could be determined by way of the camera device 14. In some embodiments, the screen 30 is further capable of displaying the image information obtained via the camera device 14 or information based in part upon that image information (e.g., an image showing a part of the jewelry item in detail). The information received by way of the camera device 14 and by way of the keyboard 32 and/or mouse 34 can be stored in the memory unit 26 of the computer terminal 22, as well as processed by way of the processing unit 28.

[0028] The computer terminal 22 is further coupled, by way of a second communication link 48 also connected to the input/output interface 24, to the printing device 50. The printing device 50 allows for the printing of certificates such as a certificate 52 that contain all of, or one or more portions of, the image information provided by the camera device 14 and the other information input by the user by way of the input devices 32, 34 (e.g., the information 38-47), or information that is based upon that image information and/or user input information. The printing device can be any of a number of different printing devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art that are capable of printing hard copies of documents on paper or similar materials to obtain certificates, business cards and/or other printed media on which various textual, graphical (including, for example black and white and/or color images) and/or other information is shown. For example, the printing device 50 can be a laser printer, a dot matrix printer, or other types of printing devices.

[0029] Typically, the printing device 50 will, as shown, include an input port 54 at which a user can insert a blank piece of paper or other blank or partly-printed medium and an output port 56 at which a completed certificate such as the first certificate 52 or other printed medium is output. Depending upon the embodiment, the printing device 50 also can have a display 58 that indicates information such as printing status (in the example shown, a certificate has just been printed and consequently the display shows "certificate complete"). Depending upon the embodiment, the printing device 50 can be directly controlled by the computer terminal 22 by way of the communication link 48 or, alternatively, can be partly or entirely self-controlled, in which case the printing device 50 requires only some or no control commands from the computer terminal and primarily receives only data from that terminal 22.

[0030] The printed certificate 52 (or other printed medium) can display a variety of information regarding one (or potentially more then one) jewelry item such as the jewelry item 12. In the example shown, an image 60 (for example, a clear, full color digital quality photo) is provided on a right side 62 of the certificate 52, while the input information 38-47 is provided in modified form along a left side 64 of the certificate. In certain embodiments, the certificate 52 is laminated/plastic coated to improve the longevity of the document. While in some embodiments, the certificate is relatively large in size (e.g., 81/2by 11 inches), in other embodiments the certificate can be smaller in size such as the size of a business card. Also, the color and various ornamental/design features (e.g., the look of the certificates) of the certificate can vary depending upon the embodiment.

[0031] In some embodiments the certificates can be numbered (to allow for accounting/tracing of issued certificates), or include other identifying marks or indicia. In certain preferred embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1, the certificate also includes one or more bar codes 61 that are indicative of the identity of the certificate and/or various information contained on or otherwise associated with the certificates. Relatedly, the present system 10 also includes a bar code scanner/reader 63 that can be used to read the bar codes on the certificates. The bar code information, when read, can be utilized by the system to quickly determine the identity of a particular certificate after it has been printed. As discussed in further detail below, depending upon the circumstance in which the bar code information is read (and/or additional information input by a user interacting with the system), scanning of a bar code on a certificate can serve as an indication that a jewelry item has just been purchased, that the corresponding certificate has just been validated, or that the jewelry item associated with the certificate has undergone some transaction or transition, for example, the jewelry item was cleaned, fixed or otherwise maintained subsequent to its purchase.

[0032] Depending upon the embodiment, the certificates can also list additional information such as warranty policy information, and phone number/other contact information regarding who to contact in the event of a question or problem regarding the certificate or the jewelry items(s) that are the subject of the certificate. Further information regarding the possible contents of certificates depending upon the embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 11-13, among others. In some embodiments, the printed certificates or other printed material is accompanied by other items; for example, outer display boxes (e.g., ring boxes) and other containers can be provided to hold both the jewelry items sold and the certificates, wallets can be provided to hold business-card-sized printed certificates, and counter support material and signs/posters can be provided as well.

[0033] The components of the system 10 can be varied, in alternate embodiments, from those shown. For example, in certain embodiments, the computer terminal 22 can be replaced with a simpler user interface that does not use its own memory unit to record user input information or its own processing unit to process such information or information received from the camera device 14. In such embodiments, each of the camera device 14 and the user interface can be directly coupled to the printing device 50, which would in some such embodiments include its own memory and/or processing capabilities for handling information received from the user interface and the camera device. That is, in such embodiments, the printing device can be the "smart" device while each of the camera device and the user interface can be relatively "dumb" machines.

[0034] The exact features of the user interface, whether included as part of the computer terminal 22 as shown or whether as part of some other device, can vary to include touch screens, hand-held devices such as personal digital assistants, and other input/output devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The communication links among the various components of the system can also be modified from that shown in FIG. 1; for example, each of the components could be coupled to a network rather then by way of the direct, dedicated communication links 36 and 48. In still further embodiments, the camera device 14 can include various memory and processing components allowing for more complicated processing of the imaging information and/or other information such as that provided by way of user interface. In other embodiments, two or more of the computer terminal 22, camera device 14 and printing device 50 can be physically incorporated into a single device.

[0035] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, all of the components of the system 10 can be located at the point of sale. While it is possible that in certain embodiments each of the camera device 14, the printing device 50 and the user interface (of the computer terminal or otherwise) would be strictly hardware components, typically one or more of these devices will operate based at least in part upon software programming and related data. Such programming used by the computer terminal 22 and/or the other devices such as the camera device 14 and the printing device 50 can be provided when the system is purchased, for example, in the form of a floppy disc or a CD ROM containing such programming information that can be loaded onto the computer terminal 22. Typically, such software would enable communications of information among the various devices of the system 10 as well as enable processing of such information, such as imaging processing.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the software provides a graphical user interface on the computer terminal 22 that includes one or more windows having fillable blank portions that can be filled with data by a user or edited, such that a user can edit various jewelry-related and other information (e.g., edit a jewelry item grade or replacement value). Also, in certain embodiments, such a graphical user interface would allow for a prescreening of any image obtained by the camera device 14 and processing of that image device (e.g., rotation, changing of colors, tint, gray scale, size and other image characteristics known to be modifiable by those of ordinary skill in the art). Further, in some embodiments, the software would include programming allowing for estimates of jewelry items' value to be calculated based upon other information input by users, such as the diamond-related information shown as information 38-46 on FIG. 1 or certain market-related information.

[0037] Although the embodiment of FIG. 1 can operate in a manner that is independent of communications with any outside systems or networks (e.g., the internet), as discussed below certain embodiments of the present invention envision that the system 10 (or similar system) would be coupled to the internet and, via the internet, be in communication with other devices. Additionally, in some such embodiments, the graphical user interface provided on the computer terminal 22 can be created through the use of a standard browser program that, upon receiving webpages off of the internet, then displays those webpages.

[0038] In general, the present invention is intended to encompass all systems such as the system 10 that can be at least partly located at the point of sale of jewelry items, particularly, for example, at independent jewelry stores, and that can be utilized by sales people and others at those points of sale to generate certificates or similar printed material on which information regarding the jewelry items' grade, value, quality or other related characteristics can be provided to customers. Typically, to determine quality, grading and valuation information regarding the jewelry items, the systems depend exclusively or at least largely upon information that is determined and provided by the operators of the systems at these local points of sale, e.g., the local jewelers themselves. Reliance by consumers upon such certificates generated by independent jewelry stores is largely justified in most instances simply by the fact that independent jewelers are typically competent in determining these types of information on their own.

[0039] Although reliance upon certificates created by independent jewelry stores is justified in most instances, the present invention recognizes that the perceived and actual value of such certificates to customers could be enhanced by a further guarantee that the certificates are accurate. For this reason, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the certificates (or other printed information) are backed up by another "secondary" company or other entity that typically is unaffiliated with the independent jewelry stores providing the certificates. The secondary company provides a warranty or guarantee that the printed information on the certificate is in fact accurate, thus effectively providing a customer with insurance covering the risk that the particular independent jeweler with whom the customer is dealing is both competent and trustworthy. The name of the secondary company would be listed on the printed certificate, indicating that the secondary company guaranteed that the information on the certificate was correct.

[0040] In the event that a customer came to believe that the information provided on a certificate issued in relation to a purchased jewelry item was inaccurate, the customer could send in the certificate and jewelry item for reevaluation by the secondary company. Upon determining that there was a problem, the secondary company in turn could provide a refund to the customer, for example, a refund of the difference between the value of the jewelry item as listed on the customer's certificate and the value of the jewelry item as determined by the secondary company (or a refund of the difference between the value of the jewelry item given the quality/grading information listed on the certificate and the actual value of the jewelry item). Also, a reissued, corrected certificate could be provided to the customer. The secondary company could further demand reimbursement of the refunded money from the original jeweler that issued the certificate and, if such reimbursement was not forthcoming, prohibit the original jeweler from continuing to issue certificates in the secondary company's name. In this manner, customer inquiries and complaints would serve as a "policing mechanism" by which the secondary company could maintain the quality and accuracy of the issued certificates.

[0041] While in the above-described embodiment, the certificates are printed and issued exclusively by the independent jewelers, in alternate embodiments only first or "rough" drafts of the certificates (or possibly no certificates at all) are immediately printed and issued to consumers by the independent jewelers. In such alternate embodiments, "final" drafts of the certificates are subsequently printed and provided to consumers by the secondary company providing the warranty/guarantee (or possibly some other third party), and the final drafts of the certificates can take on a different form (e.g., a business-card size) than that of the rough drafts of the certificates (which might still be in an 81/2'' by 11'' format). The information provided on the final drafts of the certificates would still be largely if not entirely based upon information determined by the independent jewelers (which could be communicated to the secondary company either by sending the secondary company copies of the rough drafts of the certificates or electronically as discussed with respect to FIG. 2), and consequently the secondary company would still serve as a guarantor with respect to the certificates. In further alternate embodiments, rough drafts of certificates (or some portion of the certificate information, such as an image of a jewelry item) could be printed on receipts provided to customers.

[0042] Turning to FIG. 2, while in certain embodiments of the present invention (such as that shown in FIG. 1) the components of the system are localized at a point of sale such as the store of an independent jeweler, in other embodiments the system can include not merely local components at a single jeweler or other point of sale but rather can also include additional components at other locations. In the example of FIG. 2, a system 100 includes not only the system components 10 of FIG. 1 at a local point of sale, but further includes a central terminal 80 that is located remotely from the local components of the system 10. In the embodiment shown, the system 10 and the central terminal 80 are coupled by way of the internet 90, although in other embodiments dedicated telephone lines and other communication links known to those of ordinary skill in the art could be used instead or in addition to the internet.

[0043] The central terminal 80 in turn can be coupled to any one or more of a number of other systems at other locations or points of sale, such as an additional system 110 and an additional computer terminal 130. The systems at the various different locations need not have identical components, although in the embodiment shown systems 10 and 110 have such identical components. The additional computer terminal 130 in particular is intended to be representative of other devices, systems and/or parties that can be in communication with the central terminal 80 even though those parties are not themselves intending or able to create certificates for consumers.

[0044] The central terminal 80 can serve a variety of purposes depending upon the embodiment. In the present embodiment, the central terminal 80 includes one or more databases 140 that can store various information and/or programming. In particular, the database 140 can store jewelry-related information or data 150 that is uploaded from the various local systems such as the systems 10 and 110. Depending upon the embodiment, the jewelry-related data 150 uploaded from the local systems such as systems 10 and 110 can include not only graphical and textual data pertaining to jewelry items per se (e.g., images, as well as grading, quality, or valuation information) but also name, address and other customer-related information regarding the customers who have purchased (or even have considered purchasing) particular jewelry items from the independent jewelers operating the local systems, as well as certificate identification numbers, certificate-issue dates and other information regarding certificates that have been issued by way of the local systems (e.g., amounts of insurance coverage provided with respect to different certificates).

[0045] Storage of this information at the central terminal 80 allows this information to be maintained indefinitely for later access both by the independent jewelers who have entered or developed this information and provided certificates based upon this information, as well as by customers who have been issued certificates, as well as by potential third-parties who are interested in the jewelry data. Such third-parties can include other independent jewelers at points of sale other then those which have created the jewelry data, as well as other third-parties who merely wish to inquire about this information (including potentially other retailers or wholesalers). Subject possibly to appropriate restrictions and controls, such customers, other independent jewelers and other third-parties can access some or all of this information stored at the central terminal 80, for example, by way of the additional computer terminal 130 or other similar terminals.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the database 140 stores all data associated with certificates that have been created and/or issued to customers who have purchased jewelry-items. Preferably, the databases 140 store and organize information in a manner that facilitates not only the efficient storage of such information but also allows for information to be retrieved, sorted and searched efficiently. Conventional search/retrieval software can be implemented on the databases 140 to achieve these goals. As discussed further below, the central terminal 80 in at least some embodiments allows for independent jewelers and others to enter search queries that cause the central terminal 80 to identify and retrieve relevant information from the databases 140 (e.g., all certificates issued by a particular independent jeweler).

[0047] Although not necessarily the case, the central terminal 80 typically is the property of, and/or operated by, one of the above-discussed secondary company or companies that serve to provide a guarantee/warranty/insurance regarding issued certificates. By receiving and analyzing the jewelry-related data 150 at the central terminal 80, it is possible not only for the secondary company to keep track of the activities of independent jewelers that are operating the local systems 10, 110 and creating and issuing certificates (or taking appropriate actions such that the secondary company creates/issues certificates), but also for the secondary company to maintain its own records of certificates that have been issued such that, in the event of a customer complaint, the secondary company is able to independently verify that the certificate information provided by the customer corresponds to the certificate information supposedly provided by the independent jeweler that issued the certificate and sold the related jewelry item.

[0048] The storage of certificate information at the central terminal 80 also allows the secondary company to provide an independent jeweler with an inventory and history of the certificates that have been issued by that independent jeweler and/or other independent jewelers. In some embodiments, an independent jeweler can access the central terminal 80 and obtain (and print out) information regarding the certificates that have been issued by the jeweler, including information sorted by type/category of certificate (for example, a listing of all certificates that have been issued for jewelry items within a certain price range), as well as print out additional copies of the issued certificates themselves. Also, the independent jeweler can access the central terminal 80 to obtain a mailing list of all (or a subset of the) customers to which the jeweler has issued certificates.

[0049] In some circumstances, when information regarding a particular jewelry item has been determined by one of the local systems 10, 110 but the jewelry item to which the information pertains did not end up being sold, the uploading of that information to the central terminal 80 can facilitate the later sale of that jewelry item by other retailers who have access to that information even though they do not have that jewelry item in their possession. In some embodiments, for example, all retailers (or at least retailers that are licensed to access the central terminal 80) are able to access wholesale price and pictured inventory information stored on the databases 140. Further, in some embodiments, customers are able to access this information regarding unsold jewelry items by way of their own computers (e.g., over the internet) or other terminals such as the additional computer terminal 130. To the extent that certificates were created concerning the unsold jewelry items, certificate information can also be made accessible.

[0050] In some circumstances, such customers are further able to purchase jewelry items using their own computers by contacting the central terminal 80 and appropriately interacting with the central terminal. In this manner, the secondary company associated with the central terminal 80 can operate as a middleman between a customer desiring a jewelry item and an independent jeweler in possession of the jewelry item. In such circumstances, customers again can potentially access the photographic (or other graphical) information regarding the jewelry items, as well as the grading/quality/value/price information concerning the jewelry items and/or certificate information. Thus, in certain embodiments, the information stored at the central terminal 80 can be accessed and utilized by wholesalers, retailers, customers (e.g., customers on the internet) and others to further promote the sale of jewelry items.

[0051] In further embodiments, customers, potential customers, or other parties can also access the central terminal 80 to obtain various other information such as, for example, a listing of independent jewelers or others who are licensed, qualified, authorized or otherwise able to issue certificates that are recognized by the secondary company (or to check if a particular entity is so licensed), the capability to search for such licensed independent jewelers or other parties (e.g., by way of state or zip code), information regarding how jewelry items such as diamonds are graded (e.g., charts and other information regarding grading standards such as those used by recognized grading companies), and information regarding how to obtain casualty loss and other similar types of insurance for jewelry items (e.g., a list of insurers, exemplary insurance prices, and other related information). Also, it is possible for customers, potential customers and others to obtain information regarding the guarantee/warranty program sponsored by the secondary company including, for example, answers to common questions, information regarding the actual guarantees/warranties offered by the secondary company, and contact information.

[0052] Also, by recording this information at the central terminal 80, it is possible to determine when appraisal values or other time-varying characteristics of jewelry items may have changed sufficiently that issued certificates should be updated, and consequently can facilitate a program of offering updated certificates to consumers who have been issued certificates (in some embodiments, information stored at one of the local systems such as the system 10 can also be used for this purpose). In some circumstances (e.g., when an appraisal update package is purchased by a customer), updates to an issued certificate will be regularly (e.g., annually) generated and provided to a customer who have been previously issued the certificate. In other embodiments, reminders will be periodically sent to customers to have their jewelry items reappraised. Also, in certain embodiments, the maintenance histories of jewelry items can be stored and recalled. Further, in some such embodiments, it can be determined automatically when jewelry items should be cleaned, inspected, or otherwise undergo maintenance processes. When such determinations are made, reminders can in turn be sent out to the customers.

[0053] Additionally, if the central terminal 80 is owned, operated by and/or otherwise associated with a secondary company as discussed above, the maintaining of the jewelry information at the central terminal 80 facilitates the ability of the secondary company to act as a final arbiter of whether representations made on the certificates are in fact accurate, as discussed above. Thus, in the event that a customer believes that certain information on an issued certificate is incorrect, the customer can provide the certificate number along with the jewelry item to which it pertains to the secondary company. If the secondary company determines based upon the information in the central database 80 corresponding to the certificate number that the information on the certificate is in fact false or inaccurate, the independent entity can refund some or all of the purchase price of the jewelry item to the customer and, at the same time, identify the independent jeweler/retailer who developed the erroneous certificate. Also, by keeping track of which certificates are owned by which independent jewelers, the second company can provide customers with information about the performance of those independent jewelers over time.

[0054] As indicated in FIG. 2, the central database 140 of the central terminal 80 in some embodiments can also store/include various programs and related information for governing the components of local systems such as, for example, a camera control program 160 for controlling camera devices such as the camera device 14, a processing control program 170 for controlling image or other data processing performed by a component such as the computer terminal 22, and also a printer control program 180 capable of controlling the operation of printing devices such as the printing device 50. In some embodiments, the control program 170 further includes programming that allows for communications between the central terminal 80 and the local systems 10, 110 (or terminal 130). In some circumstances, the systems 10,110 could be configured to automatically communicate/interact with the central terminal 80 without user instruction. For example, in one embodiment, the systems 10,110 could be programmed to send certificate-related information to the central terminal 80 whenever a certificate was printed out or otherwise issued. Also, in certain embodiments, one or more of these programs could be downloaded to the local systems 10, 110 when those systems are first initially brought on line by an independent jeweler or retailer. Once downloaded and installed, the programs would not need to be repeatedly downloaded except in situations where the programs needed to be updated or corrected.

[0055] In some embodiments involving internet-based communications, a server program at the central terminal 80 would be capable of communications with one or more web clients such as the local systems 10, 110 and potentially at other locations as well, such as the terminal 130. In such embodiments, the central terminal 80 would provide a website having one or more webpages that were accessible by browser programs at the local systems by way of the internet. In at least some such embodiments, the communications occur via the "World Wide Web" supported by the internet, which is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to include one or more networks that are in communication with one another by way of standardized protocols such as the TCP/IP protocol. Further, in some such internet-based embodiments, the central terminal 80 would provide information in the form of Java applets to the browser programs, to allow for the display of particular information (including graphical images, textual information, hyperlinks and other information pertaining to certificates, etc.) at the local systems 10, 110, terminal 130 or other locations constituting web clients.

[0056] More specifically, in some such internet-based embodiments, each of the local systems 10, 110 and 130 and terminal 80 is connected to and capable of communicating with the internet by way of any of a variety of communications devices including, for example, a modem and telephone line, a digital connection such as an ISDN telephone line, wireless communications devices, a local area network (LAN), etc. Each of the local systems 10, 110 and 130 employs a computer system having one or more processor units, video displays and/or other output devices (e.g., a "monitor"), and input devices (e.g., a keyboard and/or a mouse), such as that shown in FIG. 1 or other similar components. The computer systems each have, for example, a standard Microsoft Windows/Intel Microprocessor ("WINTEL") architecture and also employ a standard browser program such as Internet Explorer in order to communicate with the web server over the internet. Through their communications over the internet with the web server, the computer systems are able to download HTML-based webpages as well as other information that is relevant to the operation of and interaction with the website hosted by the central terminal 80 operating as the web server.

[0057] In other internet-based embodiments, a given local system such as the local systems 10, 110 and 130 would require the direct control of its operations at any given time by programming residing at the central terminal 80. For example, in one embodiment, a user at a local retailer would log onto the internet 90 by way of a browser program operating on the user interface. Upon establishment of communications between such browser program and a web server at the central terminal 80, the central terminal would then be in a position to govern operations of the components of the local system. Further, although FIG. 2 shows the overall system 100 as being capable of both uploading jewelry information to the central terminal 80 from the local systems 10, 110, downloading such jewelry information from the central terminal to the local systems as well as to possible third-party systems, and also the downloading of control programs to local systems or direct controlling of those local systems by way of the central terminal, the present invention is also intended to encompass embodiments in which only one or more of these different types of communications among the central terminal 80 and the various local systems or other third-party systems occur. Likewise, it is further possible for information to be provided to the central terminal from any or all of the local systems 10, 110 and 130 as well as from other systems.

[0058] Turning to FIG. 3, a flow chart 190 shows exemplary steps of operation of the system 100. In a step 200, a user at one of the local retailer systems such as the system 10 logs onto the internet 90 by way of a browser program and establishes communications with a server program at the central terminal 80. Assuming that this is the first time that the local system has established communications with the central terminal 80, in this first interaction, the various control programs such as programs 160, 170 and 180 are downloaded at a step 210 from the central terminal to the local system, for example, to the computer terminal 22 of the system 10. Assuming, in the present example, that the central terminal 80 does not provide for continuous direct control of the local system, but rather that the local system controls its own operation by way of the downloaded control programs once they have been downloaded, the local system 10 is then capable of operating on its own to print certificates regarding jewelry items. Thus, at a step 220, when a jewelry item is provided for which a certificate needs to be made, the system obtains an image of that jewelry item by way of the camera device 14.

[0059] Further, at a step 230, the local system 10 further receives other information concerning the jewelry item such as information of the types 38-47 of FIG. 1. Next, at a step 240, the various image and other jewelry information is processed, for example, by way of the processing unit 28 implementing the downloaded processing control program 170. This information is provided then to a printing device such as the printing device 50, which prints a certificate based upon the information at a step 250. As discussed above, the printing of the certificates at step 250 can also be performed by a secondary company affiliated with the central terminal 80. The secondary company then would send the printed certificates to the customers who purchased the jewelry items.

[0060] Once a certificate has been printed (or at least once the information to be printed on a certificate has been assembled), the jewelry information is also uploaded to the central terminal 80 at a step 260. Once the central terminal 80 has that information it can further (at a step 270) be provided to other users of other local systems such as the system 110, as well as to other third parties who may desire that information, e.g., at terminal 130. The uploaded information can also be the basis for determining whether future updates to the information are necessary, and in some embodiments the central terminal 80 is capable of automatically or semi-automatically updating information in its own database 140 as well as automatically sending out notices to customers who have been issued certificates that updated certificates or other information is available, as indicated at a step 280. If a customer requests such an updated certificate, that certificate can be printed and provided to the customer at a step 290.

[0061] Turning to FIGS. 4-34, as discussed above, the system 100 shown in FIG. 2 in at least some embodiments is implemented in a manner that allows one or more retailers, wholesalers, and/or customers to interact with the overall system and in particular with the central terminal 80 operated by a secondary company, where it is the secondary company that serves to provide a guarantee/warranty/insurance regarding issued certificates. More particularly, such implementation can be achieved through an internet-based implementation in which the central terminal 80 serves as a web server capable of providing webpages that can be downloaded by terminals such as the computer terminals 22 associated with the systems 10, 110, the computer terminal 130, and/or other computer terminals (or other terminals) at which the internet can be accessed. Although in the present embodiment, the central terminal 80 and particularly the web server operating the website are operated and/or controlled by the secondary company, in other embodiments the secondary company could have varying degrees of direct control. For example, the website could be operated by an independent web hosting company indirectly in response to directions provided by the secondary company.

[0062] In the embodiment of FIGS. 4-34, the website is accessible to varying degrees by each retailer, wholesaler or customer who is involved with the certification program sponsored by the secondary company affiliated with the central terminal 80 (and possibly others). That is, each such party is eligible to access the website, at least to varying degrees. Further as shown particularly in FIG. 4, when one of these parties first accesses the website, a first webpage or home page 300 appears listing basic information about the secondary company (which in this case is Accurate Grading Quality Assurance, Inc. or "AGQA" of Janesville, Wis.). The home page 300 also includes several selectable buttons 301-305, which allow the user to take different actions. The first button 301 is a log in button that, when selected or pressed (e.g., by moving a cursor over the button using a mouse and "clicking" the mouse) allows a registered member of the program to access the website. Typically, upon pressing the log in button 301, the user is presented with an opportunity to specify whether the user is a retailer, a wholesaler or a customer, and then further to specify identification information, after which the user is allowed to enter the website.

[0063] The third button 303 allows the user (typically regardless of the user's eligibility) to access various information about the certification program offered by the secondary company. Among the information that can be provided when the button 303 is pressed is shown in another webpage 310 illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown, the program offered by the secondary company in the present embodiment encompasses five steps. In a first step, authorized and credentialed members of the program (e.g., retailers) professionally determine descriptive characteristics about a given jewelry item. In a second step, the members (e.g., retailers) enter this descriptive information and create a customized certificate regarding the jewelry item. Then, at a third step, the certificate can be presented to customers, either a particular customer who is purchasing the jewelry item at that time or multiple customers who are interested in possibly purchasing the jewelry. When the certificate is provided to a customer who has purchased a related jewelry item, the certificate can serve as a warranty card, as well as an appraisal record and provide additional information.

[0064] In a step 4, in accordance with the present embodiment of the program, members of the program including customers can access jewelry history on-line through the secure website of the secondary company. In certain embodiments, customers could even send their appraisal electronically to their insurance agents. Finally, at a fifth step, the secondary company notifies customers of certain information on a periodic or other appropriate basis. For example, the secondary company can send customers information regarding inspection dates or opportunities to update their appraisal values on their certificates, or maintenance recommendations or other information via e-mail. When certain activities are performed in relation to the jewelry item, for example, when the jewelry item is cleaned, that information can further be entered and stored into the system.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, information relating to a jewelry item that arises subsequent to the creation of a certificate concerning that jewelry item can be entered into the system (at least at retail sites) at least in part through the use of a bar code tracking system when a bar code scanner in communication with the system is used to scan the certificate. When the certificate bar code is scanned, and the additional information regarding the activity performed in relation to the jewelry item has been specified, that information is automatically associated by the system with the other data stored in the system concerning that jewelry item as identified by the bar code. Such a procedure is particularly applicable where the certificate has been issued to a customer who has bought the related jewelry item. For example, if the customer brings the jewelry item into a retail store for cleaning, the retailer can scan the bar code on the customer's certificate and provide additional information into the system indicating that the jewelry item corresponding to that certificate bar code was cleaned. Such information then becomes part of the record corresponding to that jewelry item, and is potentially accessible by all retailers affiliated with the program sponsored by the secondary company in addition to the secondary company itself and the customer who owns the jewelry item.

[0066] Referring again to FIG. 4, the fourth button 304, when accessed, causes various information to then appear indicating upcoming events or promotions. The fifth button, when pressed, provides contact information regarding the secondary company or, in certain embodiments, simply causes an e-mail message window to pop-up by which the user could create and send an e-mail message to the secondary company.

[0067] As for the second button 302 concerning becoming a member, when that button is pressed, the user is presented with an opportunity to become a registered member of the program sponsored by the second company by entering various information. As shown in FIG. 6, which shows a webpage 320, a user who intends to become a member as a retailer is asked to specify various information including contact information 322, trade reference information 324, bank account reference information 326 and log in information 328. The required information is entered by the user by typing the information into various fields and tabbing through the various fields. The particular information that is required by the webpage 320 is only intended to be exemplary, and can vary from program to program and system to system. The log in information 328, which requires that the first time retailer specify a user name and a password, follows a common format and typically will be required. Although not shown, a user who wishes to become a registered member as a wholesaler would complete a form provided by a webpage that are similar to those of FIG. 6, subsequent to the selection of the button 302 of FIG. 4.

[0068] A first time customer/consumer would typically become a registered member by way of a different form/webpage than that of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 30, upon selecting the button 302 and providing an indication that he or she is customer/consumer, a webpage 330 would appear. In order for a user who is a customer to become a member of the program, the customer must have purchased a jewelry item that resulted in the issuance of a certificate (or possibly the sale of an already-issued certificate). Assuming that such a certificate was issued, the customer would have not only a certificate number associated with that certificate but also a validation number provided by the retailer or other entity that sold the customer the jewelry item. With those two numbers (or other types of codes, such as alphabetical codes), the user would enter a certificate number into a first field 332 of the webpage 330 and a validation number into a second field 334 of that webpage and, upon doing so, press a submission button 336. Once that information was submitted, the user would be presented with additional fields corresponding to the log in information box 328 shown in FIG. 6 in which the user could specify a user name and password. After specifying appropriate user name and password information, the customer would be approved as a member.

[0069] Once a retailer, wholesaler or customer has become a registered member for the first time, the retailer, wholesaler or customer can from then on log in into the website by way of its corresponding username and password information after pressing the log in button 301 (such users also would typically become logged into the system immediately subsequent to the registration process). The degree or type of access that is possible for a given user will vary depending upon the type of user, e.g., depending upon whether the user is a retailer, wholesaler or customer, as discussed further below.

[0070] Turning to FIG. 7, upon logging into the system, a retailer is first presented with an opportunity to purchase certificates from the secondary company that the retailer in turn would present to customers when jewelry items are sold by the retailer to those customers. In a webpage 340 shown in FIG. 7, the retailer is provided with three buttons 342, 344 and 346, by which the retailer is allowed to indicate that the retailer would like to purchase more certificates, is not interested in purchasing more certificates, or would like to cancel the process, respectively. At a box 348, the webpage 340 also indicates the number of certificates that the retailer currently has purchased from the secondary company but has not yet issued to customers.

[0071] If the retailer indicates that it would like to purchase more certificates by pressing the button 342 of the webpage 340, an additional webpage 350 appears as shown in FIG. 8. The webpage 350 provides a form 351 that can be completed by the retailer allowing the retailer to purchase additional certificates. In the embodiment shown, the form 351 includes fields 352 to enter credit card information and additional fields 354 to enter contact information, as well as an area 356 in which pricing information regarding certificates is also shown. Upon entering the appropriate information, the retailer can select a purchase button 358 to purchase the indicated number of certificates or alternatively can cancel the transaction by pressing a cancel button 359.

[0072] Once the retailer has purchased the new certificates or, alternatively, if at the webpage 340 the retailer indicates that the retailer does not desire to purchase any certificates at this time (e.g., by pressing one of the buttons 344 or 346), a new webpage 360 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed that offers the retailer various options. In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the retailer is presented with a first set of options 362 concerning certificates and appraisals, a second set of options 364 concerning individual customer services, and a third set of options 366. The first set of options 362 includes a first option 370 in which the retailer can indicate that it wishes to create new certificates corresponding to new jewelry items 370, a second option 372 at which the retailer has an opportunity to validate a certificate, a third option 374 at which the retailer has an opportunity to view the status of multiple certificates that have been created and/or issued, a fourth option 376 at which the retailer can purchase more certificates, and a fifth option 378 at which the retailer can indicate a desire to purchase supplies and/or accessories associated with participation in the program.

[0073] With respect to the second set of options 364 concerning individual customer services, again the retailer is provided with five different options. A first option 380 is to sign up new customers, while a second option 382 involves adding information with respect to an existing customer. A third option 384 allows the retailer to update an appraisal, a fourth option 386 allows the retailer to record maintenance information concerning jewelry items, and a fifth option 388 allows for viewing of the history of various customers. As for the third set of options 366, these include a first option 390 to view a retailer profile, a second option 392 at which the retailer is presented with information regarding commonly asked questions concerning the program, a third option 394 in which the retailer is provided with contact information regarding the secondary company sponsoring the program (or, as discussed earlier, a screen allowing the retailer to create and send an e-mail message to the secondary company). A fourth option 396, upon selection, describes the guarantee/warranty (or possibly multiple types of guarantees/warranties) provided by the secondary company, and a fifth option 398 allows the retailer to log out of the system.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9, the webpage 360 additionally has a central region 400 within which can be displayed a variety of information, as discussed further below with respect to subsequent FIGS. When the webpage 360 first appears in response to the logging in of a retailer, in the present embodiment, the central region 400 can display general information regarding the program such as information regarding the operation of the program (e.g., information corresponding to that shown in FIG. 5).

[0075] Upon the appearance of the webpage 360, the user has the ability to select any of the options shown 370-398. If the option 370 or the option 374 is selected, then a webpage 410 shown in FIG. 10 (or similar to that shown in FIG. 10) appears. As shown, the webpage 410 includes various buttons 412 in its upper right-hand corner allowing the user to create new certificates or appraisal documents. In particular, the buttons 412 include a first button 414 by which the retailer is able to create a new certificate with a 90 day guarantee, a second button 416 that allows the user to create an appraisal with no guarantee, a third button 418 that allows the retailer to create an appraisal with no guarantee (where no validation is needed), and a fourth button 420, upon the pressing of which the website then proceeds to show the three steps that are performed in creating a new certificate (particularly a new certificate with guarantee such as would result upon the pressing of the button 414). Although the buttons 412 in the present embodiment provide the four particular options shown, in alternate embodiments other options can also be provided. For example, a button could be provided that would allow a retailer to create a new certificate with any arbitrary number of days of guarantee.

[0076] Upon the pressing of the fourth "view demo 1-2-3" button 420, the system automatically provides successively first, second and third demonstration webpages 430, 440 and 450, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, respectively. These webpages 430-450 demonstrate the typical steps that the user would progress through in order to create certificates with guarantees, that is, in the event that the button 414 were pressed. Similar (typically, fewer) steps would be followed in the event that other types of certificates or appraisal documents were created, for example, an appraisal with no guarantee.

[0077] Referring specifically to the webpage 430 shown in FIG. 11, typically the first step of creating a new certificate would involve specifying a certificate number (or other code) for the certificate in a field 432, which can be equipped with a drop-down menu or pick list feature allowing for the selection of a certificate number from multiple possible numbers. Next, at second and third fields 433 and 434, respectively, information regarding the jewelry item to be covered by the certificate is specified. In the example shown, the second field 433 is used to specify whether the jewelry item is for women or men, and the third field 434 allows for a description of the jewelry item to be selected (e.g., earrings, rings, bracelets, or necklaces).

[0078] Further, at a set of selection items 435, the user can then specify the color, or colors of (or, additionally, one or more designs of) the certificate being created. In a block 436, the user then further specifies a photograph to appear on the certificate (or possibly more than one photograph to appear on the certificate). Typically, the photograph that appears on a certificate will be selected by the user from one of a few photographs taken of the jewelry item that the certificate is intended to cover, e.g., photographs that were taken by the retailer of that jewelry item. Such photographs can be accessed by the user by pressing a button 437 within the block 436. In other circumstances, particularly when photographs of the jewelry item of interest are not available or are not likely to be suitable for display on the certificate, alternate, standardized photographs provided by the secondary company (or the retailer or even the customer) can be selected for display on the certificate by the user by pressing a button 438 within the block 436. As the selections are made by the user by way of completing the fields 432-434, choosing from selection items 435, and specifying photographs by way of the buttons 437 and 438, a visual image 439 of the certificate being created is also shown and updated.

[0079] Once the operations associated with step one represented by the webpage 430 are completed, the process proceeds to step two with the display of the webpage 440 shown in FIG. 12. As shown, the webpage 440 provides the user with an opportunity to specify the specific diamonds or other attributes of the jewelry item in more detail. In an upper left-hand corner area 441, the user has an opportunity to indicate whether the jewelry item includes one or more diamonds, gems, chains and/or watches. In the case of diamonds and gems, the user further can indicate whether the diamond and/or gems on the jewelry item are center/primary or merely ornamental diamonds or gems. All of these indications regarding the characteristics of the jewelry items can be indicated by the user by checking one or more selection boxes 442.

[0080] Once the typology or characteristics of the jewelry item in question have been indicated, the user then provides further information regarding the particular items in a lower left-hand corner area 443. The types of fields located in the area 443 within which the user can indicate more detailed information can vary depending upon the embodiment. In the embodiment shown, when it has been indicated by the user that the jewelry item includes one or more ornamental diamonds as shown, then the area 443 provides fields that allow the user to specify the quantity of ornamental diamonds, the total weight in carats of the ornamental diamonds, the cut of the ornamental diamonds, their color and their clarity. As shown, in at least some of these cases, drop-down menus/pick lists are available to facilitate the information being provided by the user.

[0081] Once the detailed information has been entered into area 443, the user then additionally enters various price information at an upper right-hand corner area 444. In the embodiment shown, the price information that can be entered can include replacement value, retail value, internet value and wholesale value price information. Depending upon the embodiment, only some of these or several of these types of price information (or, additionally or alternatively, other types of price information) can be entered. Further as shown, it is possible for information concerning more than one jewelry item to be listed on the same certificate. When this is the case, a counter field 445 indicates the number of the jewelry item for which information is currently being specified (e.g., in the embodiment shown, the jewelry item is number 5). As with the webpage 430, the webpage 440 includes a visual image 449 that shows the certificate being created as various information is specified by the user.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 13, the webpage 450 appears after completion of the information required by the webpage 440 during step 2, and requests additional information at a step 3. In particular, the user can enter into a field 451 whether the retailer is providing any warranty (e.g., a warranty above and beyond that provided by the secondary company) with respect to the purchased jewelry item. At multiple additional fields 452, the user also is provided with an opportunity to specify additional information regarding the jewelry item. Such additional information can include, for example, jewelry category and related stock number, an indication of whether the jewelry item was evaluated by a professional gemological laboratory and, if so, a corresponding lab name and number/code, a metal associated with the jewelry item (e.g., gold or silver), a vendor of the jewelry item, a style pertaining to the jewelry item and various other miscellaneous pieces of information. As before, a visual image 459 displayed on the webpage 450 continues to show the certificate as it is developed to include the further information provided by the user. Also, as in the case of the webpage 440, the webpage 450 provides a counter field 455 that allows the retailer to specify which jewelry item among several is currently being described by the entry of information by the user. Once all the information has been entered, the certificate creation process is completed, and the user can press a finish button 458 to end the process and return to either the webpage 410 or, alternatively, the webpage 360 (or possibly some other webpage).

[0083] Returning to FIG. 10, the webpage 410 not only allows for retail users to create new certificates or appraisal forms, but also allows the retailers to search for and select from among certificates that have already been created and possibly (although not necessarily) issued to customers in relation to the sales of jewelry items. In particular, the webpage 410 includes a search block 422 by which the user can specify search criteria and then commission a search of relevant certificates meeting the specified criteria. In the embodiment shown, a first portion 423 of the search block 422 provides a first field/pick list 423 at which the user is able to specify whether the certificates to be searched should pertain to jewelry items that have already been sold, that may have not yet been sold, that have been appraised, that have been printed or not printed, and/or items that have been or have not been registered (or, as shown, merely specify that all jewelry items are to be included within the search regardless of whether the jewelry items or their certificates fall into one of these classes or meet one or more of these criteria).

[0084] In a field 424, the user can further indicate whether the user wishes the results of the search to be displayed in a descending or ascending manner, typically based upon an alphabetical or numeric order. Further search criteria can be specified in fields 425 and 426. For example, the user can specify in the field 425 an indication of a desired category, a desired vendor, or a range of dates within which the jewelry item was sold. In the field 426, the user can specify search criteria relating to the characteristics of the jewelry item, for example, the carat weight, the clarity of the jewelry item, the color of the jewelry item, lab information, price information (e.g., any of the price information requested in webpage 440), stock number, style number, validation number and other criteria, as well as possibly date ranges for other ranges of such characteristics (e.g., a range of carat weights). The field 426 also allows the user to specify a requirement regarding certificate number/code.

[0085] Once the search criteria are specified by way of the fields 423-426 (or possibly other fields, or other mechanisms for receiving information from the user, not shown), the user can then request the search by pressing a search button 427. Typically, the search results are obtained by the system from one or more of the databases 140 at the central terminal 80, albeit other sources of data could also be consulted. Once the search results are obtained, the search results are displayed in a field or viewing area 428. If, during the search process commissioned by the pressing of the search button 427, the user wishes to cancel the execution of the search, the user can press a cancel button 429 within the search block 422 that causes the search to be aborted.

[0086] The reports generated by the search requests and displayed in the viewing area 428 can be displayed in a variety of manners and can include a variety of different information. To begin with, prior to commissioning the search by the pressing of the search button 427, the user can specify the extent of information to be displayed as search results by selecting one of two display options 431 listed in the search block 422, namely, a "summary with pictures" format and a "full details" format, where the former format would result in the display of less information than the latter format. In the embodiment shown, the retrieved information shown in the area 428 is provided in a tabular format, where different rows show information associated with different jewelry items or certificates, and different columns correspond to different types of information.

[0087] In the embodiment shown, the types of information associated with different columns can include each of the following, if not additional types of information: certificate number, reduced-size image, category type, stock number, carat weight, clarity, color, mm, laboratory name, laboratory number, overall carat weight, style number, vendor name, replacement value, retail value, validation number, item type, center gem type, other jewelry description, log on I.D., and email address information, among others.

[0088] Because the number of columns required to display the various types of information is often so large that the table cannot fit within the viewing area 428, the viewing area in the present embodiment includes a horizontal selection bar 446 that allows the user to shift the horizontal positioning of the table relative to the viewing area or window. For convenience, FIG. 10 shows the exemplary table to be broken up into two sections so as to make evident all of the columns of the table, although it should be understood that not all columns of the table are typically visible to a user simultaneously. Likewise, because the number of jewelry items or certificates identified in a given search often will exceed the size of the viewing area 428, a vertical selection bar 447 also typically is provided to allow for the user to scroll through the various rows of the table. To the extent that the table has a number of rows that exceeds a given number (e.g., 20 rows), the table can further be broken up into subtables, and the user can move among the different subtables by clicking on previous and next buttons 448.

[0089] In addition to making available to a user a great deal of information regarding different jewelry items and certificates, the manner in which the information is presented in the tabular format in the viewing area 428 makes it possible for the user to reshuffle or reorder the search results in a variety of ways. For example, the user can click on each of the headings 453 of the different columns to reorder the search results according to the characteristics associated with that column heading. Thus, while in FIG. 10 the jewelry items are ordered according to their certificate numbers, by clicking on the heading associated with the carat weight characteristic, the user could reorder the results according to carat weight. Also, by clicking on a given certificate number (e.g., by clicking on a certificate number as displayed within the first column 454 of the table displayed in FIG. 10), the user can cause to be displayed an image of that certificate.

[0090] Further, in the embodiment shown, the table includes a third column labeled "replicate." This column typically is only available when the webpage 410 appears as a result of the user indicating that a new certificate is to be created (e.g., as a result of the selection of the option 370 in FIG. 9), but not when the user merely indicates the desire to search for results and view reports (e.g., as indicated by selection of the option 374 in FIG. 9). The replicate feature allows the retailer to rapidly create certificates that are identical (or at least similar) to existing, previously-created certificates. That is, by clicking on a replicate icon associated with a given certificate displayed within the table of the viewing area 428, the user can automatically commission the creation of an additional certificate identical to (or similar to) the certificate associated with that role. Further as shown in FIG. 10, upon the display of search results in the form of a table such as that shown in the viewing area 428, the results can be printed by the user upon selection by the user of a print button 457. Upon completion of the need to create new certificates or perform or review search results, the user can return to the webpage 360 of FIG. 9 by pressing the cancel button 429.

[0091] The webpages shown in FIGS. 10-13 appear in response to the selection by the user of options 370 and 374 shown in FIG. 9. However, the selection of the other options 372, 376, 378 and 380-398 each cause additional webpages to be displayed or, alternatively, cause different information to appear within the region 400 of the webpage 360. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the user selects the validate option 372 in order to validate a certificate that has just been issued to a customer in relation to a purchased jewelry item, the webpage 360 becomes modified such that the region 400 displays several fields 460, 462 and 464 to achieve a validation process. More particularly, in the embodiment shown, a certificate number needs to be provided by the retailer, in the field 460 (in alternate embodiments, a validation number would also be required). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the certificate number is provided merely by scanning the bar code on the certificate being validated by way of the bar code reader (discussed above). The retailer then confirms that the proper number was scanned in by entering the last four digits of the certificate number in the field 462. Once the certificate number information has been provided, validation is complete. The validation process can be canceled by the user by selecting a cancel button 464.

[0092] If the purchase certificates option 376 is selected by the user, the webpage 360 reverts to the webpage 350 discussed above with respect to FIG. 8, by which the user can purchase additional certificates. Further, if the user selects the option 378 corresponding to supplies/accessories, the webpage 360 becomes modified as shown in FIG. 15, such that the central region 400 is modified to display various equipment and supplies that the retailer can purchase from the secondary company. In the embodiment shown, the equipment and supply information that is displayed as information 470 includes camera information 471, camera supply information 472, bar code scanner information 473, light box information 474, display information 475, organizer information 476, printer and accessories information 478, and information regarding other miscellaneous items 477. With respect to some of these categories of information, previous/next buttons 479 are also shown that allow the user to select from among a variety of different options within that category.

[0093] Also as indicated by FIG. 15, additional price information and other details regarding the various products can be obtained by clicking on the thumbnail image that is shown. For example, a description of a particular light box 474 would be provided upon clicking on the image for that light box, e.g., information explaining how the light box works (e.g., serving as a box within which a jewelry item can be positioned in a manner allowing for the taking of consistent pictures of that jewelry item). Items can be selected for purchase also by clicking on the images associated with the respective items. In particular, when the information associated with a given item is provided in response to clicking on the image associated with that item, a further button (not shown) is displayed allowing the user to specify that the item should be added to a shopping cart.

[0094] Once the user has selected one or more items (from any one or more of the different categories of items), the user can also view all of the contents of the user's shopping cart by pressing a view cart button 466. When the view cart button 466 is pressed, the retailer then is provided with an opportunity to complete the purchase of those items. Typically this will include the presentation to the user of a credit card form to be filled out by the user, followed by a command to execute the transaction, although in some embodiments the retailer can have a pre-established relationship with the secondary company such that such credit card information need not be provided each time items are purchased. Once the user has completed purchasing those items that are desired, or decided not to purchase any items, the user can return to the version of the webpage 360 showing FIG. 9 by pressing an exit button 468.

[0095] Turning to FIG. 16, the webpage 360 takes on yet another form upon the selection of the sign-up new customers option 380. In this case, a sign-up new customers window 480 appears that provides fields 482, 484, 486, 487 and 488 in which the retail user can specify the email address of the new customer, the last name of the new customer, the first name of the new customer, a certificate number of the new customer and a validation number/code corresponding to the new customer/purchased jewelry item, respectively. As discussed further below, in certain embodiments, new customers can sign themselves up independently of retailer assistance. However, in the present embodiment, retailers also are capable of signing up the new customers when the customers purchase new certificates associated with the purchasing of new jewelry items, or assisting customers who wish to sign up some time after the purchases of their jewelry items. Indeed, it is also possible for different retailers to sign up customers than those who sold the customers their jewelry, assuming that the retailers conducting the signing-up of the customers are members of the program sponsored by the secondary company. When the information concerning a new customer has been entered by the retailer, the retailer can submit this information by pressing a submit button 489, resulting in the signing-up/registration of that customer and the returning of the webpage 360 to the form shown in FIG. 9.

[0096] Turning to FIG. 17, the website also provides the retail user with an opportunity to add new customers to the program being sponsored by the secondary company. Typically this occurs when a customer has for the first time purchased a jewelry item that is the subject of a certificate, either at the very time when the purchase is made or at a later time when the customer visits the retailer for some other reason. In particular, when the retailer has an occasion to add a new customer, the retailer selects the add-to customer option 382 of the webpage 360. When that occurs, the central region 400 of the webpage 360 c