AU2021204813A1 - An Electronically Implemented Quotation Moderation and Comparison System - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system including at least one customer having at least one customer computer device operating a client software application, at least one system administrator having access to at least one system administrator computer device operating a server software application, at least one business having at least one business computer device operating a client software application, the client software application allowing the at least one customer to upload an electronic original quotation electronically to the system for moderation and comparison and allowing the at least one business to submit at least one electronic competing quotation for a job for which an electronic original quotation has been received by the system, wherein each electronic quotation is stored for comparison purposes and delivered electronically to the at least one customer to allow the at least one customer to make a decision on which quotation to accept. pI J Sb ta Nn P Figure 2

Description

pI J

Sb ta Nn P

Figure 2

AN ELECTRONICALLY IMPLEMENTED QUOTATION MODERATION AND COMPARISON SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system and particularly one which allows electronic moderation of the submitted quotations.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The current systems and methods of getting quotations are plagued by long processing times, high people and operation costs, higher risk of human delay and errors, lack of analytical information for price negotiation and decision making, longer communication times with vendors, and lack of a computer log of the entire process for easy tracking. People-intensive operations such as passive information record queries and manual quotation and information record maintenance further plague the current methods.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,178 (Giovannoli) describes a computerized quotation system and method forming a computer-based network. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,513 (Thackston) a network based system for the manufacturing of parts is described. U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,912 (Ginter et al.) provides a system and method for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,329 (Wojcik et al.) a system for managing customer orders using software is described. U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,646 (Grosh et al.) describes a system and method for facilitating the valuation and purchase of information and price. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,675 (Meltzer et al.) a participant server which processes electronic documents for commerce in trading partners' networks is described.

[0004] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to an electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0006] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in an electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system including at least one customer having at least one customer computer device operating a client software application, at least one system administrator having access to at least one system administrator computer device operating a server software application at least one business having at least one business computer device operating a client software application, the client software application allowing the at least one customer to upload an electronic original quotation electronically to the system for moderation and comparison and allowing the at least one business to submit at least one electronic competing quotation for a job for which an electronic original quotation has been received by the system,

[00071 Wherein each electronic quotation is stored for comparison purposes and delivered electronically to the at least one customer to allow the at least one customer to make a decision on which quotation to accept.

[0008] In another form, the present invention resides in an electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system including

at least one customer having at least one customer computer device operating a client software application,

at least one system administrator having access to at least one system administrator computer device operating a server software application

at least one business having at least one business computer device operating a client software application,

the client software application allowing the at least one customer to upload an electronic original quotation electronically to the system for moderation and comparison and allowing the at least one business to submit at least one electronic competing quotation for a job for which an electronic original quotation has been received by the system,

the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device moderating each electronic original quotation and each electronic competing quotation within the system, the moderating process including the steps of: electronic parsing of each electronic original quotation and each electronic competing quotation by the server software application to recognise portions of the electronic quote, and electronically redacting identifying information from each of the electronic original quotation and each electronic competing quotation but leaving an explanation of the work required under the quotation and any related cost information in order to create one or more electronic moderated quotations;

Wherein each electronic moderated quotation is stored for comparison purposes and only electronic moderated quotations are available for comparison purposes to the at least one business and wherein each electronic original quotation and electronic competing quotation for the job are delivered electronically to the at least one customer for the decision.

[0009] In other words, within the present system, the businesses can only see moderated quotations and cannot see the original quotations whereas the customers will only see the original quotations and the competing quotations so that the businesses only see the portion of the quotations which are required to provide a competing quotation but the customers can see all of the information on all of the quotations relating to their particular job in order to make an assessment of the competing quotations to choose the one that they prefer.

[0010] The system of the present invention is based about a customer utilising a personal computing device such as a smartphone, computer, tablet computer or any other personal computing device to upload a quotation they have received for work to the system and then have that quotation adapted to remove all identifying information from the quotation, such as who is providing the quotation and to whom, and then have the redacted quotation published to allow one or more other businesses who can perform the work (the business also having a personal computing device such as a smartphone, computer, tablet computer or any other personal computing device) and then once a suitable or specified number of quotations have been provided for the work, to deliver the unredacted quotations to the customer to allow the customer to decide which to accept.

[0011] Preferably, access to the system for both the customers and the businesses will be via a personal computing device operating a client software application thereon. The client software application may be the same application and the functionality and use of the client software application determined by the category of the user (customer or business) which is preferably determined at login according to the user's unique login information. As mentioned above, the personal computing device can be any type however, it will typically be a smart phone, computer tablet or other portable device having at least one communication pathway in order to communicate with the server software application.

[0012] The personal computing device preferred for use in the present invention includes a processor with on-board memory, a display, at least one input apparatus, and access to at least one communication pathway to transmit data between system components. Normally, the display will preferably be a touchscreen as many personal computing devices currently available have this feature. The advantages of the touchscreen include allowing a larger display and also allowing the display to function as a part of or as, the input apparatus. The display will also function as a video playback device. These types of devices also usually have at least one camera which preferably allows image capture.

[0013] Preferably, the software operating on the hardware of the system of the present invention includes a server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or which may reside on a computer network and be accessible from or by the at least one system administrator computer device. Preferably, a client software application is provided at the personal computing device level on each of the user personal computing devices in order to interact with the server software application.

[0014] The server software application is preferably the "engine" of the system and method, responsible for receiving and processing information within the system.

[0015] The system of the present invention preferably includes a client software application designed to operate on smartphones, tablet computers and another mobile device that each customer and business will require in order to access the system. The client software application will preferably be available through an application distribution platform, which is typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store and BlackBerry App World. The client software application of the present invention will normally be downloaded from the application distribution platform to a target personal computing device.

[0016] Preferably, the client software application is provided to operate on a personal computing device with appropriate connections through the personal computing device to the server software application in order to gain additional information to that present on the personal computing device. The additional information may be obtained from the server software application and/or by push notification from the server software application to the personal computing device and/or upon request from the personal computing device.

[00171 The client software application will preferably allow communication with the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network. Preferably, the server software program operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network will be more advanced and be responsible for the bulk of the processing with the client software application operating on the personal computing devices typically smaller and with less processing power, optimised to send and receive instructions and requests and leaves the operations requiring larger processing power to the server software program operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention will preferably have a number of parties associated with the system, with a party categorised into one or more general types. The preferred types of parties associated with the system include a system administrator (which can be one or more people, and/or machines in one or more locations), customers who have quotations to be compared and businesses who provide the goods and/or services and who will provide comparison quotations to the customer.

[0019] Each user (customer and business user, but even the system administrator may in some circumstances use the client software application albeit with different access privileges) will normally download the client software application to their personal computing device. The download of the client software application will normally include appropriate instructions to be stored in the memory of the personal computing device in order to create and maintain links and associations with the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network in order to communicate with one or more databases stored thereon or accessible thereby. Each customer and each business will preferably have a unique user profile or record against which information is stored. The at least one customer database and the at least one business database may be the same database or be separate from one another. Information will normally be stored against the respective unique user profile or record in an electronic form which is searchable by the server software application.

[0020] The personal computing device normally provides access to one or more communications pathways in order to communicate with the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network in order to access the system. Normally, the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network will include one or more databases containing information about the users such that information regarding the identity of any one or more of these parties may be communicated by the personal computing device or the client software application to ensure that the personal computing device requesting data from the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network or to which data is to be sent or from which information is received, is a personal computing device of an authorised user of the system. This functionality is normally accomplished through a login facility in which the user uses the client software application operating on a personal computing device to log into the system.

[0021] The login process may use login details that the user has developed for another application or use. For example, the user may use a Facebook or Twitter account login or similar or alternatively login details for an email system such as Gmail or Hotmail in order to access the system of the present invention. Normally, details of the user login will be stored in a corresponding user profile in at least one user database and as a login request is received, the server software application will typically ensure that the login details supplied match those of a user before allowing access to the system and any databases on the system.

[0022] Normally, a login prompt is produced and displayed as a displayed image or interface on the display of the personal computing device and including at least one action button. This will normally allow input or selection of the desired login information into an input template and which also prompts input of the login information provided by action in the form of a submission to the server software application. This will normally be a two-part process in which the user will normally select the desired login type if permitted followed by entry of the user particular identification information and password followed by the submission step. Upon submission, the entered details will be sent to the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network for authorisation.

[0023] Therefore, the personal computing device is typically used to create a login request which is then sent via a communications pathway to the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network whereupon the system of the present invention checks the user database(s) for a match and allows access to the system if the match occurs and denies access to the system if a match does not occur.

[0024] The at least one input apparatus used to input information into the personal computing device therefore will typically be formed or displayed on the display of the personal computing device as required. The at least one input apparatus will normally take the form of a virtual keyboard including letters of the alphabet, numbers and/or symbols as well as one or more action icons to allow a user to implement action on the personal computing device.

[00251 Typically, a portion of the image displayed on the display of the personal computing device will be provided as visual feedback reflecting the input provided by the user of the personal computing device.

[0026] Other types of input apparatus are typically also present including at least one voice input apparatus, typically a microphone or similar device or a biometric device could be used.

[00271 The present invention is preferably achieved by computer hardware operating software containing instructions in association with one or more communications pathways between a variety of pieces of computer hardware operating software compliant with the system, in order to achieve the invention.

[0028] The computer hardware included in the system of the present invention typically includes a at least one system administrator computer device or computer network operating the server software application which is operated or maintained by a system administrator and which electronically stores information in relation to the users of the system and also receives data, undertakes the moderating process and presents the quotations to the customer for their selection. The hardware also preferably includes or has access to a communication network in order to send/receive requests from users to and from the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network and the personal computing devices of the users.

[0029] As mentioned above, the hardware included in the system of the present invention also includes a personal computing device for each user. The respective personal computing devices will preferably be the primary points of access to the system of the present invention by the users of the system and normally interaction with the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network will occur using the personal computing devices.

[0030] The at least one system administrator computer device or computer network will normally include a processor with memory operating instructions and a number of databases stored in electronic form. The databases will typically include at least one user database containing a unique user profile for each user of the system and at least one database of messages and/or recordings may be maintained separately from the at least one user database or alternatively, the messages and/or recordings may be stored in the respective user profiles. It is anticipated that the at least one user database can be provided as a single database, with the designation of a user as being either a fan or influencer (or both) dependent upon the use of the system.

[00311 The system of the present invention will normally be implemented through instructions which when followed, generate one or more electronic interfaces on a personal computing device. The instructions will normally be sent from the primary software application on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network to a user's personal computing device and which will then be followed in order to generate an interface in real time and update the interface according to the user's interaction with the system.

[0032] Many of these personal computing devices have touchscreens for display allowing the user to directly interact with the touch screen in order to interact with the interface. However, a normal non-touchscreen display can be used with a movable pointer or selection tool in order to allow a user to interact with the interface. One or more "buttons" are provided on the interface to allow the user to interact with the personal computing device and through the personal computing device, to interact with the system.

[00331 The generated interface will typically be updated substantially in real time according to the rules or instructions which are issued by the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network and the at least one user database. The generated interface will also typically be updated substantially in real time according to interactions by the user(s) with the system.

[0034] Typically, the generated interface will be used to login to the system using unique login information or details. Normally this will be the case regardless of what type of user is logging into the system. The classification of the user as a customer or business may be made according to the login details or by the user, after login. The system will preferably allow a user to set up a profile designating themselves as a customer, business or both and this setup (or any change thereto) is preferably subject to approval by the system administrator.

[00351 The client software application will normally allow a user to capture and/or upload an electronic quotation into the system and typically to the server software application. The client software application will typically allow a user to add an electronic quotation into the system with the original quotation is provided in any format. In addition, the addition of the electronic quotation may be achieved in any format. However, it is preferred that the electronic quotation is either provided in an editable format and/or a conversion process is undertaken that converts the electronic quotation into at least an electronically readable format, and preferably an editable format.

[0036] For example, the client software application may undertake a conversion process to convert that the electronic quotation to a computer readable format prior to upload to the server software application but preferably, the client software application will simply allow the uploading to the server software application of an existing editable electronic quotation such as a quotation provided in editable format to the customer and/or will allow a user to capture an image of a quotation and provide that image in an electronic format to the server software application for conversion.

[00371 In a preferred embodiment, the client software application will allow the capture of an image file such as a photo for example and allow upload of the image file to the server software application. Some standardisation of the computer file to be uploaded to the server software application will typically occur at the client software application level in order to optimise upload of the electronic file to the server software application. The standardisation may include conversion to a particular format, compression or even breaking the file up into more easily uploaded chunk sizes.

[0038] Typically, the client software application will cause one or more electronic interfaces to be generated and displayed on the personal computing device including one or more instructions for capture of an electronic image of a quotation. For example, a particularly preferred format of the present invention will include the client software application generating a target viewfinder on an electronic interface display on the personal computing device. Preferably, the target viewfinder will superimpose a capture outline on the interface in order to allow a user to more correctly capture the electronic image of the quotation. The better quality capture the customer can make of the quotation, the more successful the remainder of the method and system of the present invention can operate.

[0039] Typically, the original quote received by the customer will be uploaded for processing and will typically be stored against the customers record in the at least one user database for future use in particular, for return with the other comparison quotations in order to allow the customer to make a final decision as to which quotation to accept.

[0040] The server software application of the present invention will typically operate at one of a variety of levels of complexity depending upon the complexity of the moderation required by the system.

[0041] In the simplest embodiment of the present invention, the server software application will typically receive uploaded original electronic quotations and will preferably electronically moderate the uploaded original electronic quotations, whether it be the electronic quotation received from the at least one customer for comparison purposes and/or whether electronic quotations are received from at least one business for comparison purposes. It is important that any quotation available to other users of the system apart from the at least one customer that originates the comparison request, be moderated quotations.

[0042] Typically, the electronic moderation process will include electronic categorisation of each of the quotations according to the particular goods or services required according to the quotation. Once the electronic categorisation of the quotation has been undertaken, the server software application will typically load the categorised quote into the comparison portal which will preferably publish the categorised quotation to one or more of the business members from the at least one business database, who have identified that they provide that particular good or service required. Normally, at joining (or any time there after) the at least one business will nominate the types of goods or services that they are willing and capable of providing and this will be identified in one or more electronic tags associated with the business unique profile or record. This will allow the server software application to search through the unique profiles or records to identify which businesses should be sent electronic quotation based on the goods or service to be performed.

[0043] Either or both of the customer and it least one of the businesses may provide or request additional information or special request information.

[0044] It is preferred that the electronic moderation of each of the original electronic quotations is undertaken automatically by the server software application. Preferably, each electronic quotation will be electronically parsed to identify text or other information which defines what goods or services are being sought by the at least one customer according to the electronic quotation as well as any related cost information.

[0045] Once the electronic quotation has been electronically parsed to identify text, the server software application will preferably identify particular keywords within the parsed text that relate to what goods or services are being sought by the at least one customer according to the electronic quotation and uses those keywords in a comparison test with the one or more electronic tags associated with each business profile or record which identify the types of goods or services being offered by the particular businesses. In this way, the server software application can identify businesses in the at least one business database that relevantly provide the goods or services that the customer is seeking under the quotation and then forwards the moderated electronic quotation to the matching businesses. Preferably, the moderated quotation will be loaded or forwarded to the businesses such that when the business logs on to the system using the at least one client software application operating on the business personal computing device, the electronic moderated quotes are available for comparison to allow the business to provide a counter quote.

[0046] Preferably, the moderated quotation is also electronically tagged with a unique customer reference that the server software application then uses to match with the particular customer and the particular original electronic quotation in order to forward any counter quotes from each business to the correct customer in relation to a particular original quotation.

[00471 In practice, at least one business will prepare a counter quote and then load the counter quote in order to have the counter quote sent back to the customer which will occur according to the unique customer reference that the server software application has electronically tagged the moderated quotation with.

[0048] As mentioned above, the least one business can request further information if necessary and this request for further information is electronically forwarded by the server software application to the customer according to the unique customer reference provided to the moderated quotation.

[0049] Further, if the customer approves a quotation within the system, then the business that prepared the quotation will typically be notified through the client software application operating on the business personal computing device. Again, the system of the present invention will typically apply a unique business tag to each quotation created by each business and information will typically be directed around the system according to the unique tags applied to the respective quotations (moderated quotations and counter quotations) by the server software application.

[0050] In a more advanced embodiment, the electronic quotations may be subjected to more advanced electronic moderation. In particular, it is preferred that the electronic quotations be electronically parsed by the server software application in order to identify text or other information which defines what goods or services are being sought by the at least one customer according to the electronic quotation as well as any related cost information.

[0051] In this particular embodiment, as well as identifying particular keywords in the text as explained above, it is further preferred that the server software application uses the parsing to identify different portions of the quote and in particular, portions of the electronic quotation which contain information which identify either the party providing the electronic quotation to the customer and/or customer identifying information.

[00521 In this embodiment, the server software application will then use this identification of different portions of the electronic quotation to remove or redact any identifying portions of the quotation from the electronic quotation to produce a modified, moderated electronic quotation with all identifying information removed or redacted therefrom. It is important that the server software application of the present invention retain information relating to the scope of work to be performed and/or goods to be provided and any related cost information. The electronic moderated quotation can then be forwarded to the identified businesses as a explained above.

[0053] When the businesses load a counter quotation, the counter quotation will also typically go through the electronic moderation process.

[0054] Preferably, when all electronic quotations are received and/or a comparison window ends and/or the customer closes the comparison window, the original, unredacted quotations which correspond to the moderated quotations are preferably extracted from the system and sent electronically to the customer in order to allow the customer to review the electronic quotes and if they decide, to accept one of the electronic quotations.

[0055] As can be seen, the present invention provides a system in which a customer can submit an electronic quotation for comparison to the system but preferably, one or more businesses providing counter quotations for comparison purposes can only see their own electronic quotations in full and only see redacted quotations with all identifying information removed therefrom that have been prepared by other businesses and/or customers within the system. The customer that is seeking the comparison will preferably see full copies of the electronic quotations.

[0056] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[00571 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0058] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0059] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system according to a preferred embodiment f the present invention.

[0060] Figure 2 is a storyboard diagram of a system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 3 is a storyboard diagram showing the interaction with a system of the preferred embodiment by a customer with a quotation for moderation and comparison.

[0062] Figure 4 is a storyboard diagram showing the interaction with a system of the preferred embodiment by a system administrator.

[0063] Figure 5 is a storyboard diagram showing the interaction with a system of the preferred embodiment by a business to view and submit quotes for moderation and comparison.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0064] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system is provided.

[0065] The general hardware implementing the system of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 1. As illustrated, the system of the preferred embodiment operates using a computer server 10 which interacts with and transfers information to and receive information from the number of personal computing devices of which two types are illustrated, namely a tablet device 11 and a smartphone 12, through a cloud network 13. Information can be transferred to and from the computer server 10 and the personal computing devices 11, 12 in order to implement the system of the preferred embodiment.

[0066] The system illustrated in Figure 1 includes at least one customer having at least one customer computer device such as a tablet device 11 or a smartphone 12 operating a client software application, at least one system administrator having access to at least one system administrator computer device such as the computer server 10 or a network and operating a server software application and at least one business having at least one business computer device such as a tablet device 11 or a smartphone 12 operating a client software application.

[00671 The client software application allows the at least one customer to upload an electronic original quotation electronically to the system for moderation and comparison and allows the at least one business to submit at least one electronic competing quotation for a job for which an electronic original quotation has been received by the system Normally, the client software application operating on business computer devices will be the same as the client software application operating on customer computer devices.

[0068] Each electronic quotation is stored for comparison purposes and delivered electronically to the at least one customer to allow the at least one customer to make a decision on which quotation to accept.

[0069] In the preferred embodiment of the present system, the businesses can only see moderated quotations and cannot see the original quotations whereas the customers will only see the original quotations and the competing quotations so that the businesses only see the portion of each original quotation which are required to provide a competing quotation (that is, normally the scope of works and the costing information) but the customer who originated the comparison, can see all of the information, on all of the quotations relating to their particular job in order to make an assessment of the competing quotations to choose the one that they prefer.

[00701 The system of a particularly preferred embodiment is based about a customer utilising a personal computing device such as a smartphone, computer, tablet computer or any other personal computing device to upload a quotation they have received for work to the system and then have that quotation adapted to remove all identifying information from the quotation, such as who is providing the quotation and to whom, and then have the redacted quotation published to allow one or more other businesses who can perform the work (the business also having a personal computing device such as a smartphone 12, computer, tablet computer 11 or any other personal computing device) and then once a suitable or specified number of quotations have been provided for the work, to deliver the unredacted quotations to the customer to allow the customer to decide which to accept.

[00711 Preferably, access to the system for both the customers and the businesses will be via a personal computing device operating a client software application thereon. AS mentioned above, the client software application will preferably be the same application and the functionality and use of the client software application determined by the category of the user (customer user or business user) which is preferably determined at login according to the user's unique login information. As mentioned above, the personal computing device can be any type however, it will typically be a smart phone 12, computer tablet 11 or other portable device having at least one communication pathway in order to communicate with the server software x application operating on the server 10 or network.

[0072] Each personal computing device preferred for use in the present invention includes a processor with on-board memory, a display, at least one input apparatus, and access to at least one communication pathway to transmit data between system components. Normally, the display will be a touchscreen as many personal computing devices currently available have this feature. The advantages of the touchscreen include allowing a larger display and also allowing the display to function as a part of or as, the input apparatus. The display will also function as a video playback device. These types of devices also usually have at least one camera which preferably allows image capture to allow a user to capture an electronic image of a quotation in order to load it into the system.

[0073] Preferably, the software operating on the hardware of the system of the present invention includes a server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or which may reside on a computer network and be accessible from or by the at least one system administrator computer device. Preferably, a client software application is provided at the personal computing device level on each of the user personal computing devices in order to interact with the server software application.

[0074] The server software application is preferably the "engine" of the system and method, responsible for receiving and processing information within the system.

[00751 The system of the present invention preferably includes a client software application designed to operate on smartphones, tablet computers and another mobile device that each customer and business will require in order to access the system. The client software application will preferably be available through an application distribution platform, which is typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store and BlackBerry App World. The client software application of the present invention will normally be downloaded from the application distribution platform to a target personal computing device.

[0076] Preferably, the client software application is provided to operate on a personal computing device with appropriate connections through the personal computing device to the server software application in order to gain additional information to that present on the personal computing device. The additional information may be obtained from the server software application and/or by push notification from the server software application to the personal computing device and/or upon request from the personal computing device.

[00771 The client software application will preferably allow communication with the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network. Preferably, the server software program operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network will be more advanced and be responsible for the bulk of the processing with the client software application operating on the personal computing devices typically smaller and with less processing power, optimised to send and receive instructions and requests and leaves the operations requiring larger processing power to the server software program operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network.

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention will preferably have a number of parties associated with the system, with a party categorised into one or more general types. The preferred types of parties associated with the system include a system administrator (which can be one or more people, and/or machines in one or more locations), customers who have quotations to be compared and businesses who provide the goods and/or services and who will provide comparison quotations to the customer.

[00791 Each user (customer and business user, but even the system administrator may in some circumstances use the client software application albeit with different access privileges) will normally download the client software application to their personal computing device. The download of the client software application will normally include appropriate instructions to be stored in the memory of the personal computing device in order to create and maintain links and associations with the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network in order to communicate with one or more databases stored thereon or accessible thereby. Each customer and each business will preferably have a unique user profile or record against which information is stored. The at least one customer database and the at least one business database may be the same database or be separate from one another. Information will normally be stored against the respective unique user profile or record in an electronic form which is searchable by the server software application.

[0080] The personal computing device normally provides access to one or more communications pathways in order to communicate with the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network in order to access the system. Normally, the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network will include one or more databases containing information about the users such that information regarding the identity of any one or

-

/ more of these parties may be communicated by the personal computing device or the client software application to ensure that the personal computing device requesting data from the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network or to which data is to be sent or from which information is received, is a personal computing device of an authorised user of the system. This functionality is normally accomplished through a login facility in which the user uses the client software application operating on a personal computing device to log into the system.

[0081] The login process may use login details that the user has developed for another application or use. For example, the user may use a Facebook or Twitter account login or similar or alternatively login details for an email system such as Gmail or Hotmail in order to access the system of the present invention. Normally, details of the user login will be stored in a corresponding user profile in at least one user database and as a login request is received, the server software application will typically ensure that the login details supplied match those of a user before allowing access to the system and any databases on the system.

[0082] Normally, a login prompt is produced and displayed as a displayed image or interface on the display of the personal computing device and including at least one action button. This will normally allow input or selection of the desired login information into an input template and which also prompts input of the login information provided by action in the form of a submission to the server software application. This will normally be a two-part process in which the user will normally select the desired login type if permitted followed by entry of the user particular identification information and password followed by the submission step. Upon submission, the entered details will be sent to the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network for authorisation.

[0083] Therefore, the personal computing device is typically used to create a login request which is then sent via a communications pathway to the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network whereupon the system of the present invention checks the user database(s) for a match and allows access to the system if the match occurs and denies access to the system if a match does not occur.

[0084] The at least one input apparatus used to input information into the personal computing device therefore will typically be formed or displayed on the display of the personal computing device as required. The at least one input apparatus will normally take the form of a virtual keyboard including letters of the alphabet, numbers and/or symbols as well as one or more action icons to allow a user to implement action on the personal computing device.

x["

[00851 Typically, a portion of the image displayed on the display of the personal computing device will be provided as visual feedback reflecting the input provided by the user of the personal computing device.

[0086] Other types of input apparatus are typically also present including at least one voice input apparatus, typically a microphone or similar device or a biometric device could be used.

[00871 The present invention is preferably achieved by computer hardware operating software containing instructions in association with one or more communications pathways between a variety of pieces of computer hardware operating software compliant with the system, in order to achieve the invention.

[0088] The computer hardware included in the system of the present invention typically includes at least one system administrator computer device or computer network operating the server software application which is operated or maintained by a system administrator and which electronically stores information in relation to the users of the system and also receives data, undertakes the moderating process and presents the quotations to the customer for their selection. The hardware also preferably includes or has access to a communication network in order to send/receive requests from users to and from the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network and the personal computing devices of the users.

[0089] As mentioned above, the hardware included in the system of the present invention also includes a personal computing device for each user. The respective personal computing devices will preferably be the primary points of access to the system of the present invention by the users of the system and normally interaction with the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network will occur using the personal computing devices.

[0090] The at least one system administrator computer device or computer network will normally include a processor with memory operating instructions and a number of databases stored in electronic form. The databases will typically include at least one user database containing a unique user profile for each user of the system and at least one database of messages and/or recordings may be maintained separately from the at least one user database or alternatively, the messages and/or recordings may be stored in the respective user profiles. It is anticipated that the at least one user database can be provided as a single database, with the designation of a user as being either a fan or influencer (or both) dependent upon the use of the system.

[0091] The system of the present invention will normally be implemented through instructions which when followed, generate one or more electronic interfaces on a personal computing device. The instructions will normally be sent from the primary software application on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network to a user's personal computing device and which will then be followed in order to generate an interface in real time and update the interface according to the user's interaction with the system.

[0092] Many of these personal computing devices have touchscreens for display allowing the user to directly interact with the touch screen in order to interact with the interface. However, a normal non-touchscreen display can be used with a movable pointer or selection tool in order to allow a user to interact with the interface. One or more "buttons" are provided on the interface to allow the user to interact with the personal computing device and through the personal computing device, to interact with the system.

[00931 The generated interface will typically be updated substantially in real time according to the rules or instructions which are issued by the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network and the at least one user database. The generated interface will also typically be updated substantially in real time according to interactions by the user(s) with the system.

[0094] Typically, the generated interface will be used to login to the system using unique login information or details. Normally this will be the case regardless of what type of user is logging into the system. The classification of the user as a customer or business may be made according to the login details or by the user, after login. The system will preferably allow a user to set up a profile designating themselves as a customer, business or both and this setup (or any change thereto) is preferably subject to approval by the system administrator.

[0095] The client software application will normally allow a user to capture and/or upload an electronic quotation into the system and typically to the server software application. The client software application will typically allow a user to add an electronic quotation into the system with the original quotation is provided in any format. In addition, the addition of the electronic quotation may be achieved in any format. However, it is preferred that the electronic quotation is either provided in an editable format. Where an editable format is not available, such as where a customer takes a photo of a quotation using their device, a suitable conversion process is undertaken by the software of eth system (one of the service software application or the client software application) to convert the electronic quotation into at least an electronically readable format, and preferably an editable format.

[00961 For example, the client software application may undertake a (partial) conversion process to convert that the electronic quotation to a computer readable format prior to upload to the server software application but preferably, the client software application will simply allow the uploading to the server software application of an existing editable electronic quotation such as a quotation provided in editable format to the customer and/or will allow a user to capture an electronic image (photograph) of a quotation and provide that image in an electronic format to the server software application for conversion by the server software application.

[00971 In a preferred embodiment, the client software application will allow the capture of an image file such as a photo for example and allow upload of the image file to the server software application. Some standardisation of the computer file to be uploaded to the server software application will typically occur at the client software application level in order to optimise upload of the electronic file to the server software application. The standardisation may include conversion to a particular format, compression or even breaking the file up into more easily uploaded chunk sizes.

[0098] Typically, the client software application will cause one or more electronic interfaces to be generated and displayed on the personal computing device including one or more instructions for capture of an electronic image of a quotation. For example, a particularly preferred format of the present invention will include the client software application generating a target viewfinder on an electronic interface display on the personal computing device. Preferably, the target viewfinder will superimpose a capture outline on the interface in order to allow a user to more correctly capture the electronic image of the quotation. The better quality capture the customer can make of the quotation, the more successful the remainder of the method and system of the present invention can operate.

[0099] Typically, the original quote received by the customer will be uploaded for processing and will typically be stored against the customers record in the at least one user database for future use in particular, for return with the other comparison quotations in order to allow the customer to make a final decision as to which quotation to accept.

[0100] The server software application of the present invention will typically operate at one of a variety of levels of complexity depending upon the complexity of the moderation required by the system.

[0101] In the simplest embodiment of the present invention, the server software application will typically receive uploaded original electronic quotations and will preferably electronically moderate the uploaded original electronic quotations, whether it be the electronic quotation received from the at least one customer for comparison purposes and/or whether electronic quotations are received from at least one business for comparison purposes. It is important that any quotation available to other users of the system apart from the at least one customer that originates the comparison request, be moderated quotations.

[0102] Typically, the electronic moderation process will include electronic categorisation of each of the quotations according to the particular goods or services required according to the quotation. Once the electronic categorisation of the quotation has been undertaken, the server software application will typically load the categorised quote into the comparison portal which will preferably publish the categorised quotation to one or more of the business members from the at least one business database, who have identified that they provide that particular good or service required. Normally, at joining (or any time there after) the at least one business will nominate the types of goods or services that they are willing and capable of providing and this will be identified in one or more electronic tags associated with the business unique profile or record. This will allow the server software application to search through the unique profiles or records to identify which businesses should be sent electronic quotation based on the goods or service to be performed.

[0103] Either or both of the customer and it least one of the businesses may provide or request additional information or special request information.

[0104] It is preferred that the electronic moderation of each of the original electronic quotations is undertaken automatically by the server software application. Preferably, each electronic quotation will be electronically parsed to identify text or other information which defines what goods or services are being sought by the at least one customer according to the electronic quotation as well as any related cost information.

[0105] Once the electronic quotation has been electronically parsed to identify text, the server software application will preferably identify particular keywords within the parsed text that relate to what goods or services are being sought by the at least one customer according to the electronic quotation and uses those keywords in a comparison test with the one or more electronic tags associated with each business profile or record which identify the types of goods or services being offered by the particular businesses. In this way, the server software application can identify businesses in the at least one business database that relevantly provide the goods or services that the customer is seeking under the quotation and then forwards the moderated electronic quotation to the matching businesses. Preferably, the moderated quotation will be loaded or forwarded to the businesses such that when the business logs on to the system using the at least one client software application operating on the business personal computing device, the electronic moderated quotes are available for comparison to allow the business to provide a counter quote.

[0106] Preferably, the moderated quotation is also electronically tagged with a unique customer reference that the server software application then uses to match with the particular customer and the particular original electronic quotation in order to forward any counter quotes from each business to the correct customer in relation to a particular original quotation.

[01071 In practice, at least one business will prepare a counter quote and then load the counter quote in order to have the counter quote sent back to the customer which will occur according to the unique customer reference that the server software application has electronically tagged the moderated quotation with.

[0108] As mentioned above, the least one business can request further information if necessary and this request for further information is electronically forwarded by the server software application to the customer according to the unique customer reference provided to the moderated quotation.

[0109] Further, if the customer approves a quotation within the system, then the business that prepared the quotation will typically be notified through the client software application operating on the business personal computing device. Again, the system of the present invention will typically apply a unique business tag to each quotation created by each business and information will typically be directed around the system according to the unique tags applied to the respective quotations (moderated quotations and counter quotations) by the server software application.

[0110] In a more advanced embodiment, the electronic quotations may be subjected to more advanced electronic moderation. In particular, it is preferred that the electronic quotations be electronically parsed by the server software application in order to identify text or other information which defines what goods or services are being sought by the at least one customer according to the electronic quotation as well as any related cost information.

[0111] In this particular embodiment, as well as identifying particular keywords in the text as explained above, it is further preferred that the server software application uses the parsing to identify different portions of the quote and in particular, portions of the electronic quotation which contain information which identify either the party providing the electronic quotation to the customer and/or customer identifying information.

[0112] In this embodiment, the server software application will then use this identification of different portions of the electronic quotation to remove or redact any identifying portions of the quotation from the electronic quotation to produce a modified, moderated electronic quotation with all identifying information removed or redacted therefrom. It is important that the server software application of the present invention retain information relating to the scope of work to be performed and/or goods to be provided and any related cost information. The electronic moderated quotation can then be forwarded to the identified businesses as a explained above.

[0113] When the businesses load a counter quotation, the counter quotation will also typically go through the electronic moderation process.

[0114] Preferably, when all electronic quotations are received and/or a comparison window ends and/or the customer closes the comparison window, the original, unredacted quotations which correspond to the moderated quotations are preferably extracted from the system and sent electronically to the customer in order to allow the customer to review the electronic quotes and if they decide, to accept one of the electronic quotations.

[0115] As can be seen, the present invention provides a system in which a customer can submit an electronic quotation for comparison to the system but preferably, one or more businesses providing counter quotations for comparison purposes can only see their own electronic quotations in full and only see redacted quotations with all identifying information removed therefrom that have been prepared by other businesses and/or customers within the system. The customer that is seeking the comparison will preferably see full copies of the electronic quotations.

[0116] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[01171 Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[01181 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (14)

1. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system including at least one customer having at least one customer computer device operating a client software application, at least one system administrator having access to at least one system administrator computer device operating a server software application, at least one business having at least one business computer device operating a client software application, the client software application allowing the at least one customer to upload an electronic original quotation electronically to the system for moderation and comparison and allowing the at least one business to submit at least one electronic competing quotation for a job for which an electronic original quotation has been received by the system, wherein each electronic quotation is stored for comparison purposes and delivered electronically to the at least one customer to allow the at least one customer to make a decision on which quotation to accept.

2. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to claim 1 wherein the customer computer device and the business computer device include processor with on-board memory, a display, at least one input apparatus, and access to at least one communication pathway to transmit data between system components.

3. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the client software application is provided to operate on the at least one customer computer device and/or the at least one business computer device with appropriate connections through the at least one customer computer device and/or the at least one business computer device to the server software application in order to gain additional information to that present on the at least one customer computer device and/or the at least one business computer device.

4. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the system includes computer hardware operating software containing instructions in association with one or more communications pathways between a variety of pieces of computer hardware operating software compliant with the system.

5. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the system is implemented through instructions which when followed, generate one or more electronic interfaces on a personal computing device.

6. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to claim 5 wherein the one or more electronic interfaces are updated substantially in real time according to rules or instructions issued by the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device or computer network and at least one user database.

7. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the client software application undertakes a conversion process to convert the electronic quotation to a computer readable format prior to upload to the server software application.

8. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the system allows the capture and/or upload of an image file relating to the electronic quotation.

9. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to claim 8 wherein the client software application generates a target viewfinder on an electronic interface display on the customer computing device, wherein the target viewfinder superimposes a capture outline on the electronic interface display.

10.An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an electronic moderation process includes electronic categorisation of the electronic quotation according to the goods or services required.

11. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to claim 10 wherein, once the electronic categorisation has been undertaken, the server software application loads the categorised quote into a comparison portal.

12. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the electronic moderation process is undertaken automatically by the server software application.

13. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the system is configured to receive a counter quote from the at least one business and send the counter quote to the at least one customer.

14. An electronically implemented quotation moderation and comparison system including at least one customer having at least one customer computer device operating a client software application, at least one system administrator having access to at least one system administrator computer device operating a server software application, at least one business having at least one business computer device operating a client software application, the client software application allowing the at least one customer to upload an electronic original quotation electronically to the system for moderation and comparison and allowing the at least one business to submit at least one electronic competing quotation for a job for which an electronic original quotation has been received by the system, the server software application operating on the at least one system administrator computer device moderating each electronic original quotation and each electronic competing quotation within the system, the moderating process including the steps of: electronic parsing of each electronic original quotation and each electronic competing quotation by the server software application to recognise portions of the electronic quote, and electronically redacting identifying information from each of the electronic original quotation and each electronic competing quotation but leaving an explanation of the work required under the quotation and any related cost information in order to create one or more electronic moderated quotations; wherein each electronic moderated quotation is stored for comparison purposes and only electronic moderated quotations are available for comparison purposes to the at least one business and wherein each electronic original quotation and electronic competing quotation for the job are delivered electronically to the at least one customer for the decision.