GB2367920A - Online collections management and marketing system - Google Patents

Abstract

An online collection management and marketing system for communicating with a plurality of collectors 12 includes:<BR> ```an inventory module 32 for displaying information regarding collectible items that may be purchased through the system;<BR> ```a real time pricing module 36 for obtaining updated pricing information and valuing a particular collection; and<BR> ```a marketing module 38 for analyzing the collector's collection data to determine whether they would want to purchase a particular item, and for transmitting marketing messages to the collectors in response to the analysis.

Description

ONLINE COLLECTION MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING SYSTEM The present invention is directed toward the field of electronic commerce.

More specifically, the invention relates to a collection management and marketing system and methods. Although the invention provides particular unity in the field of rare coin and paper money collectibles, it is useful with any type of collection or collectible, such as trading cards, rare wine, collectible stocks and bonds, books, antiques, etc.

Collection inventory software and online collectibles web sites are known in this field. These systems, however, suffer from many disadvantages that have limited their utility from both the user's (i. e. , collector's) perspective and also from the seller's perspective.

An example collection inventory software program is"Coin Elite, "available from Trove Software in Olathe, Kansas. This program is installed locally on the user's personal computer and allows the user to manually input information regarding their coin collection. This program, however, does not provide any type of online capabilities. It is limited to the local installation at the user's PC. Furthermore, this program does not provide the ability to quickly add a large number of coin items to the user's collection data. Instead, each coin is added, manually, record-by-record. In addition, this program does not provide real-time pricing capability, so the user cannot determine the value of their collection at any particular instant in time. Because the program is limited to a local installation, it does not provide the ability to communicate or interact with other buyers, sellers, or coin collectors. In addition, the program is limited to coin collecting, and cannot deal with other types of collectibles in any manner whatsoever.

Collectibles web sites are also known in this field. These web sites, however, are very limited in their usefulness. These sites do not provide any type of online collection management functionality. Users cannot input their collection information into these sites, and, therefore, these sites are not online collection management systems at all.

Furthermore, these web sites do not provide any ability for the user to manage and value their collection (s), and do not provide any means for targeted marketing of particular collectibles to the users.

Various aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying claims.

At least preferred embodiments of the invention provide a system that enables users of the system to input, manage, sort, value, and categorize one or more of their collections, and enables the operator of the system to market collectible items to the users based on the analysis of the user's collection data.

The invention addresses a general need in this field for an online, interactive collection management and marketing system that is useful for both collectors and sellers of collectible items.

An online, interactive collection management and marketing system and methods are provided. The system enables users to input, manage, sort, value, and categorize one or more of their collections, and enables the operator of the system to directly market collectible items to the users based on an analysis of their collection data. The system

includes a plurality of software modules for managing the user's collections and for marketing specific collectibles to the users through a graphical user interface such as a web browser. The system includes a web server coupled to one or more database servers. The web server stores graphical web pages and associated software modules for enabling the functionality of the system. The database server is coupled to one or more online databases for storing information used by the system, including registration data, user collection data, a set of pre-populated collection templates, real-time pricing data, and an inventory of collectible content and images. The pre-populated collection template enables users to quickly and automatically add numerous collectible item records to their collection data instead of manually adding each item. A special marketing module is included with the system that enables the system operator to analyze the user's collection data and then directly target marketing messages to particular users regarding items they may want to purchase for their collections.

According to one aspect of the invention, an online collection management and marketing web site for communicating with a plurality of collectors via the Internet is provided. This system includes: a web server for executing a plurality of software modules, including: a registration module for registering collectors with the system; a collection management module for enabling a collector to input collection data regarding one or more of their collections; an inventory module for displaying information regarding collectible items that are for sale through the system; a real time pricing module for obtaining updated pricing information regarding certain collectibles and for enabling the system to value a particular collection; and a marketing module for analyzing the collector's collection data and for transmitting marketing messages to the collectors in

response to the analysis ; and a database for storing registration data generated by the registration module, collection data generated by the collection management module, inventory data. and real-time pricing data.

According to another aspect of the invention, an online collection management system for managing collection data is provided, wherein the collection data is associated with a plurality of collection types, each collection type including one or more collection categories. The system includes a collection management server for interfacing with collectors that have collections of items that are characterized by collection type and category. wherein the collection management server includes a collection management graphical user interface that is used by the collectors for selecting a collection type and a collection category, and for inputting collection data related to the selected type and category of collection; and a database for storing the collection data for each collector.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of managing one or more collections of collectible items via a collection management web site, comprising the steps of : registering with the collection management web site; inputting collection data into the web site associated with a plurality of collectible items ; and storing the collection data in a database coupled to the web site.

Still another aspect of the invention provides a method of marketing collectible items to a plurality of collectors, comprising the steps of : inputting collection data for each collector into an online collection management system and storing the collection data into a database; analyzing the collection data for each collector to determine whether the collector may desire to add a particular collectible item to their collection; and

transmitting an e-mail notification to the collector indicating that the particular collectible I item may be purchased through the online collection management system.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method of creating data records for collectible items in an online collection management system, comprising the steps of : providing a pre-populated collection template including a hierarchical data structure that identifies collectible items for a particular collection type and category using a plurality of sub-categories ; displaying a data input table that includes input fields associated with collectible items within a particular sub-category of the collection type and category, wherein the data table is linked to the pre-populated collection template; inputting a numerical value into the input fields of the data table that correspond to the number of collectible items for the particular sub-category; and automatically generating item records for each item in the collection using the sub-category data stored in the prepopulated collection template.

Still another aspect of the invention provides a method of categorizing collectible item data organized into a plurality of item records stored in a collection management system, comprising the steps of : selecting a collection type for each item record stored in the system ; selecting a collection category for each item record stored in the system; and selecting at least one status filter type that indicates the status of the collectible item described by the item record, wherein the status filter types indicate whether the item is wanted for purchase, is owned, or is for sale.

It should be noted that these are just some of the many aspects of the present invention. Other aspects not specified will become apparent upon reading the detailed description set forth below.

The present invention provides many advantages, such as: (1) collectors (users) can input, store, manage, display, edit, categorize and market their collections through a centralized web-based system; (2) the system operator (and/or other sellers) can directly target marketing messages to collectors based on system information regarding the collector's collections; (3) collectors can browse through and purchase items from the system operator's inventory of collectibles, and when a purchase is made, the system automatically enters corresponding item information into the collector's online collection data; (4) collectors can manage numerous collections of different types of collectibles simultaneously and through a single, intuitive graphical user interface; (5) collectors can quickly add numerous items to their online collection without having to manually enter information for each item; (6) collectors can obtain a real-time valuation of their collection or collections; and (7) collectors can upload a data file that describes their collection to the system, which then automatically parses the data file and creates item records in the system database.

These are just a few of the many advantages of the present invention, which is described in more detail below in terms of the preferred embodiments. Not all of these advantages are required to practice the invention. As will be appreciated, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments than those detailed below, and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the

scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

The present invention satisfies the general need noted above and provides many advantages, as will become apparent from the following description of example

embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein : i Z FIG. I is a system diagram of an online collection management and marketing system according a preferred example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled by the collection management module (CMM) of an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled through the collection management data input/display page of an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4A is a graphical depiction showing the layout of the preferred collection management data input/display page of an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4B is a graphical depiction showing the layout of the status filter drop-down box of an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled through the fast add function of an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled through the create item record function of an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a graphical depiction showing the layout of the preferred fast add data input page of an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a data structure diagram showing an example methodology for storing a plurality of collection types according to an example embodiment of the present invention ; FIG. 8B is a data structure diagram showing an example methodology for storing CIY the pre-populated data collection templates utilized by an example embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled by the inventory module (IM) of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 10 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled by the alerts module (AM) of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Turning now to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is a system diagram 10 of an online collection management and marketing system 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Through this system 20, external users (i. e., collectors) 12 can setup, store and manage a plurality of collection types through a single collection management interface module. For example, a preferred collection type in the present invention is rare coins. Another collection type could be rare paper money. Or the collection type could be stamps. Using the present invention, a user 12 can input their collection-specific information into the system 20 for all three of these collection types, and can then manage all three of these collections through the system 20, thus enabling a cross-collection management function that is unknown in this field. Having access to the user's collection information then enables the operator of the system 20 to market specific items to the users in response to an analysis of the user's collection data. This type of dynamic, interactive collectibles marketing astern is also unknown in this field.

Although coins, paper money and stamps are the preferred collection types, the teaching of the present invention could apply to any type of collection, such as trading cards, wine. books, furniture, stocks and bonds, etc. Preferably, each collection type, such as coins or paper money, is comprised of a plurality of collection categories. For example, within the collection type"coins"there may be a US Federal category, a Colonial category, etc. Likewise, if the collection type were"baseball cards, "then the collection categories may be National League, American League, etc. Within each collection category there may be a plurality of item types organized into one or more subcategories of information. Thus, for example, the collection type may be"coins"and the collection category may be"US Federal, "and within the category"US Federal"there may be numerous sub-categories of items, such as certain types of quarters, dimes, dollars, etc. These sub-categories within each collection category may be further broken down into additional sub-sub-categories to the extent that a particular type of collection requires such a categorization. An exemplary multi-level categorization scheme that is particularly useful for rare coins is shown in FIG. 8B as the pre-populated collection template.

This system 10 is preferably implemented as an online web site 20 for communicating information over the Internet 18. It should be understood, however, that the principles of the present invention are not limited to any particular technological implementation, and could be implemented over other types of communication networks.

The collection management and marketing system 20 preferably comprises one or more web servers 22 coupled to one or more database servers 24. These two servers 22, 24 could also be implemented as a single server. The servers 22,24 communicate over

the Internet 14 using a high-bandwidth connection 18, such as a T-l line, although other types of links are certainly possible, such as T-3, microwave, satellite link, CATV, RF, etc. The external users 12 of the system, who primarily use the system 20 to maintain and manage their collections, operate their own computers 12 and connect to the system 20 typically via lower-speed dial-up modem connections 16, although these lower-speed connections could also be xDSL, microwave, satellite, CATV or other types of links.

The basic functions of the web site server 22 are: (1) to provide the graphical user interface (i. e.. web pages) to the various users 12 of the system 20 so that they can input, display and manage their online collections, and (2) to provide the system functionality described in more detail with respect to FIGs. 2-10. The server 22 communicates over the Internet 14 with the external users 12 using standard Internet protocols for

communicating web content, such as TCP/IP, HTTP, S-HTTP, SSL, etc. The users 1' operate standard web browser software on their computers, such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer. or Netscape's Communicator in order to interact with the system 20.

The various system functions of the online collection management and marketing system 20 are accomplished through a series of software modules 28-38, which include the appropriate coding for generating the web page interface to the users 12, and for enabling the functionality described below. This coding scheme may include HTML, XML, Java, Javascript, Active-X, or other standard web-based coding paradigms for displaying graphics through a web browser and for communicating information back and forth to the plurality of external users 12 and to the database server 24.

The preferred software modules of the present invention include a registration module (RM) 28, a collection management module (CMM) 30 (which is described in

more detail in FIG. 2), an inventory module (IM) 32 (which is described in more detail in FIG. 9), a gallery module (GM) 34, a real-time pricing module (RTPM) 36, and an alerts module (AM) 38 (which is described in more detail in FIG. 10). Other modules may also be used with the present invention.

The registration module (RM) 28 enables external users 12 to connect to the web site system 20 in a secure manner by establishing a unique usemame/password combination for each user 12. The collection management module (CMM) 30 enables

the users 12 to input, display, manage, and control their online collections, which are stored in a central repository 40. The inventory module (IM) 32 provides a means for the users 12 to gain access to (and perhaps purchase from) the inventory of collectibles maintained by the operator of the online collection management and marketing system 20. The gallery module (GM) 34 provides a graphical interface for highlighting particular collectibles maintained by the operators of the system 20, and for providing the users 12 with historically relevant information, including text, graphics, animations, etc., regarding the particular collectibles that are highlighted in the gallery. The real-time pricing module (RTPM) 36 operates in conjunction with the collection management module (CMM) 30 so that users 12 that have input their collections into the system 20 can determine the value of their collection at any given instant in time. And the alerts module (AM) (also referred to herein as the marketing module) 38 provides a mechanism for marketing collectibles to particular users 12 based on an analysis of the specific items contained in the user's collection that have been input into the collection management system 20.

The database server 24 is coupled to a system data storage facility 40 (or central repository), which may include one or more databases 42, 44. FIG. 1 shows a separate inventory database 42 and a user database 44, although these databases could be integrated into a single database. The inventory database 42 preferably includes an inventory content data store 42A and an inventory images data store 42B. The inventory content data store 42A contains information regarding the current inventory of collectibles maintained by the operators of the collection management and marketing system 20. The inventory images data store 42B contains graphical images of the collectibles in the inventory content data store 42A.

The user database 42 preferably includes a registration data store 44A, a user collections data store 44B, a pre-populated collection templates data store 44, and a realtime pricing data store 44D. The registration data store 44A contains registration information regarding each user 12 of the system, including their unique usemame/password combination that limits access to the user's personal online collection data.

The user collections data store 44B includes a data file for each user's online collections. as further described below with respect to FIG. 8A. Each user 12 is able to input and maintain a complete description of their collections through the CMM 30, and this desCrIptive information for each user collection is stored in the user collections data store 44B.

The pre-populated collection templates data store 44C stores a plurality of collection templates. preferably one template for each category of collection within a particular collection type. The pre-populated collection templates are preferably

organized as hierarchical data structures (an example of which is shown in FIG. 8B) that are organized to automatically provide the basic item information for a particular icular collectible item in a particular category of collection so that the user can utilize the fast add function of the present invention (described in more detail below with respect to FIG.

5) to quickly add a large number of items to their online collection.

And the real-time pricing data store 44D contains current information regarding the market prices of the items in the inventory 42A and the items that are described by the pre-populated collection templates 44C. Using this real-time pricing data 44D, a user 12 of the system 20 can determine a real-time, market value for their entire collection.

FIG. 2 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled by the collection management module (CMM) 30 of the present invention. Preferably, the system web site 20 includes a plurality of web pages, one of which is considered the opening page or"home"page for the system. When a user 12 connects to the system 20 using their computer, the"home"page is displayed to the user 12 through their browser program. From the home page, the user can then select to enter the registration module 28, the collection management module 30, the inventory module 32, or the gallery module 34. (Users 12 cannot gain access to the real time pricing module 36 or the alerts module 38). Access to these modules 28, 30, 32, 34 through the home page is typically provided by graphical and/or textual hyperlinks that link to the web pages that are associated with the particular modules.

A user 12 can enter the collection management module (CMM) 30 in three ways 50A, 50B. 50C. In step 50A, the CMM 30 is entered through an automatic edit function called from another module, such as the inventory module 32. In step 50B, the CMM 30

is entered through a bulk upload function call from a bulk uploader module (not shown). Using the bulk uploader module, a user 12 can transfer a data file that describes their collection, such as a spreadsheet file, to the CMM 30, which would then parse the upload data file, format the parsed data into the format used by the system 20, and store that collection data into the user's 12 collection data file in the user collections store 44B. A third method of entering the CMM 30 is by manually selecting this module from the system home page when the user 12 connects to the system 20.

Having entered the collection management module 30, the next step 60 is to determine whether this user 12 is associated with an existing collection stored in the user database 42. At step 60, the module prompts the user to either enter a usemame/password combination, or to proceed to register with the system 20. If the user enters a usemame/password combination, then control passes to step 62, where the usemame/password combination is authenticated by comparing it to the information in the registration data store 44A. If the user hasn't registered with the system, then control passes to step 28, and the registration module (RM) 28 is called in order to register the user with the system 20. As noted above, the registration module 28 is used to collect basic information about the particular user 12, and to enable the user 12 to select a unique usemame/password combination that will enable the user 12 to secure their collection information on the system 20.

Once the user is registered, control then passes to the authentication step 62, and the user is prompted to enter their newly-selected usemame/password combination. From the authentication step 62, control of the CMM 30 passes to step 56, where the module determines whether access to the CMM 30 is from the manual entry point 50C (such as

by selection a collection management icon or hypertext link from the system home page), or, alternatively, whether the access is from one of the automatic entry paths 50A, 50B. If access to the CMM 30 is through one of the automatic entry paths 50A, 50B, then the data (either from one of the other modules in the system 20, or from the bulk uploader) is loaded into the user's collection at step 52, and stored in the user collections data store 44B at step 66. If, however, access to the CMM was through the manual entry path 50C, then control passes to step 64, and the collection management data input/display page and user interface is launched and displayed at the user's web browser. An example of this collection management interface page is set forth in FIG. 3, and described in more detail below.

By interacting with the collection management interface 64 (as described in more detail below), users 12 can display, add to, delete, categorize, organize, update, and otherwise manage their online collections. When the user 12 is finished operating the interface 64, which typically includes modifying the user's collection data in some manner. control of the CMM 30 passes to step 66, and the modified user collection data is then stored into the user's collection 44B within the user database 42. From step 66, control of the CMM 30 optionally passes to step 68. in which the module computes a real-time price for the user's entire collection. This step 68 takes real-time pricing data from the real time pricing data store 44D and applies it to the items in the user's collection that have corresponding entries in either the system inventory 42A, or in the prepopulated collection templates 44C. If there are items in the user's collection that are not included in either of these sources, then, at step 54, the system my prompt the user 12 to indicate manually the current pricing data for the particular item. This information is

then used by the CMM 30 in step 68 to compute an overall current value for the user's collection. This information is stored in the user's collection 44B, and the CMM 30 then returns to the point from which it was originally called.

FIG. 3 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled through the collection management data input/display page 64 of the present invention. From 64, the user 12 either selects a particular collection type at 72 (such as coins, paper money, stamps, baseball cards, etc. ) or selects to view a summary display of their entire collection at step 76. The summary display page sets forth a summary view of the items in all of the user's 12 collections that are being managed via the system 20, thus providing a cross-collection management feature that is unknown in prior systems. This summary display page may also display a current real-time value for the entire collection.

Having selected a collection type at step 72, the user 12 may then select a particular collection category with the selected collection type. Thus, for example, if the user 12 selects the collection type"coins, "then the collection categories may be"US Federal,""Colonial."etc. Once the type and category of collection are selected, the collection interface 64 then displays the collection data for the selected type and category.

Thus, if the user 12 had selected"US Federal"as the collection type, then the CMM 30 would retrieve the US Federal Coin data from this particular user's collection 44B and display that information through the collection management interface 64, as is shown in FIG. 4A.

From this point, the user 12 is provided with many optional functions 82-98 for managing their collection data. These functions include: apply a status filter 82, create a set record S4. order the displayed data 86, execute the fast add function 8S, create an item

record 90, print a list of the displayed data 92, and edit a particular item record 94. In addition, the user 12 can select a new category at 96 or select a new collection type at 98. The create set record 84, fast add function 88, create item record 90 and edit item record 94 functions modify the data in the user's stored collection, and therefore these functions are linked to the user collections data store 44B.

Each of the available functions 82-94 will now be described in more detail. At step 82, the user 12 can select to apply a particular status filter to the displayed category information through the collection management interface 64. The"status filter"is a mechanism provided by the present invention that enables the user 12 to more particularly structure, categorize, and manage their collection data. Typical status filters include"own, ""wanted, ""for sale,""sold,"and"traded."Other sale, ""sold,"and"traded."Otherfilters are possible.

When the user inputs extended item information into the system (as described below with reference to FIG. 6), or in other transactional situations, the user 12 can apply a status filter to a particular item in their collection. Thus, for example, if a user"owns"a particular item that has been added to their collection, they can set the"own"status filter for that particular item. If the user doesn't own the item yet, but desires to acquire that item some day, the user 12 can set the"wanted"status filter on a particular item, thus indicating a desire to acquire that item. In similar manner, the user 12 can apply the"for sale""sold""traded"and/or other status filters to individual or groups of collection items.

Once these status filters have been set, the collection management interface 64 can then search for and display only those collection items that are associated with a particular filter. For example, if the user sets the"sold"status filter on all of their collection items that have been sold (either through an online transaction via the system

20) or otherwise, and selects the"sold"filter from the display 64, then the system 20 would only display those collection items for the selected collection type and collection category that have been sold by the user 12, thus filtering the collection item data. Similarly, the user can select to only view their"wanted"items, or their"for sale"items, etc.

In step 84, the user 12 can create a set record. The set record is an individual entry in the user's collection that refers to a set of items, such as a set of mint coins, or a set of first issue stamps, or a set of books, etc. This function provides a manual data entry screen where the user 12 can input basic item information regarding the set of items, which is then stored in the user collections 44B.

In step 86, the user 12 can reorder the displayed data fields on the interface 64.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 4A, the collection management interface 64 includes ar item table 122 organized into a plurality of rows and columns. Each row is associate,, with a particular item in the category of the collection type, and each column is associated with a particular item information field. Using the order displayed data function 86, the user 12 can alter the positioning of the columns so that a particular column is used as the sort column in place of the default.

In step 88 the user 12 can engage the fast add function, which is described in further detail in FIGs. 5 and 7. Essentially, the fast add 88 function enables the user 12 to quickly add a large number of individual items to their collection. Instead of manually creating an individual item record for each item (as is done in prior art systems), the fast add function 88 utilizes the data stored in the pre-populated collection templates 44C to generate a fast add interface table (shown in FIG. 7) that enables the user to quickly input

a large number of items into their collection. The fast add function 88 then automatically generates the item records for the items input through the fast add interface table using the basic item information stored in the pre-populated collection template 44B, thus eliminating the need to manually input the data.

In step 90 the user can create an individual item record. This is the manual process that is automated by the fast add function 88. As described in more detail in FIG. 6, below, using this function the user 12 can obtain basic item information (which is also included in the pre-populated templates 44C), and can then add extended item information data that is not included in the templates 44C. This step may be used when the user is only going to input a small number of items, or where they want to add both the basic item information and the extended item information into the collection data store 44B.

In step 94, the user 12 can edit a particular item record that has already been entered into the system. This function is typically engaged by the user"double-clicking" or selecting a particular item from the collection management interface display 64. Once an item is selected, an additional interface screen is displayed that details the specific information about this item, including the basic item information and the extended item information (to the extent that this later information has been completed). From this screen, the user can edit or add to the information associated with the selected item, and this modified information is then stored into the user collection 44B. Thus, for example, the user 12 may add a particular item to their collection through the fast add function 88, in which case the basic item information would be stored for that item. Then, by

selecting that item from the collection management interface 64, the user 12 can then enter the extended information associated with the item.

In step 95, the user 12 can clear a collection. Using this function, the user 12 can delete all of the item records in their collection 44B that are associated with a particular collection type and collection category. Of course, when the user 12 selects this key, a special warning dialog box would be displayed to indicate that the data is about to be deleted, and would request confirmation from the user 12.

FIG. 4A is a graphical depiction showing the layout of the preferred collection management data input/display page 64 (the collection management interface) of the present invention. This collection management interface 64 is displayed when the user 12 enters the CMM 30 through the manual edit path 50C, such as by selecting a hyperlink text or graphic within the web page interface. The interface 64 includes numerous selection buttons for engaging the functions described in FIG. 3, and also includes a collection type/category display table 122 for displaying data from the user's 12 collection 44B with respect to the selected collection type and category.

Along the top of the interface 64 is the collection type selection bar 100. This selection bar preferably includes one or more buttons 100A, 100B, and 100C for selecting the type of collection to perform functions on and/or to display information on. The example shown in FIG. 4A is a collection management interface 64 for a coin and paper money collection management system. Here, button 100A is for selecting the"coins" collection type, button 100B is for selecting the"paper money"collection type, and button 100C is reserved for"other"types of collections that may or may not be related to coins and paper money. Button 102 is preferably configured in close proximity to the , % A

collection type selection buttons 100, and is used to engage the display collection summary for all collection types function described above in FIG. 3 as step 76. When the user 12 selects this button 102, a separate graphical display screen is launched that displays summary information for all of the user's 12 collections being managed by the collection management system 20. Thus, for example, if the user 12 is using the system 20 to manage a coin collection, a paper money collection, and a stamp collection, then the collection summary display would display summary information on the user's collection for all three types of collections. In addition, the summary information may include present valuations of each type of collection (assuming that real-time pricing data is available), and may also supply an overall valuation across the user's collections for the entire value of the items being managed through the collection management system 20.

As noted above in step 72, the user 12 first selects a collection type using the collection type selection bar 100. Below the collection type selection bar 100 is the collection category selection tabs 102. These tabs are selected using the mouse or other pointing mechanism in a similar manner to the collection type buttons. Following the coins and paper money example, these tabs may include"US Federal"102A,"Colonial" 102B, "Foreign"102C, and"other"102D. Each tab corresponds to a particular collection category within the selected collection type. The"other"tab is maintained for future expansion of the system 20 to accommodate other collection categories. The collection summary tab 104 engages the function in step 78 of FIG. 3, and launches a display that presents summary information regarding the particular collection type that has been selected by the user 12.

Once the user selects the collection type (as in step 72), and the collection category (as in step 74), the collection management module 30 then retrieves the user's 12 data 44B for the selected collection type and category and displays the relevant item information in the collection type/category display table 122. This table 122 is organized into rows and columns, where each row represents an individual item entry, and the columns represent particular basic and/or extended item information from the item records associated with the particular items. Many types of basic and extended item information could be displayed here. In FIG. 4A, several columns 122A-122H are shown that are generally relevant to the"coin"collectibles field. Note that for other types of collections. such as baseball cards, wine, etc. , the column headings would be different.

For the coin collectibles field, the preferred display columns in the table 122

include a selector column 122A, a unique ID field 122B, a status field 122C, a denomination field 122D, a type field 122E, a date/mint field 122F, a grade field 122G, and a current value field 122H. The selector column 122A is used to select particular items for subsequent operations (as described in FIG. 3 and below). The user 12 selects one or more items by positioning their pointing device into the row entry field under the column 122A. and pressing the select or enter key. Note that if the user 12"doubleclicks"on a particular item row, then the edit item record function 94 will be launched, and a full item record display for the selected item will be displayed for editing by the user 12.

The unique ID field 122B is a concept introduced by the present invention so that any user 12 or operator of the system 20 can uniquely identify and quickly find a particular item record that is stored in the system database 40. Each time that a user 12

enters or creates a new item record, a unique ID variable (which could be a numerical value or an alphanumeric sequence) is associated with that item record. The system 20 ensures that no two items in the database (or in the operator's inventory 42A) can have the same ID value. In this manner, items can be uniquely identified and searched for in the system 20. For example, a particular user 12 may have an item that is indicated as"for sale. "If the user 12 desires to provide information on this item to another user 12 of the system that may be interested in purchasing that item, the first user 12 can simply send the second user an e-mail message with a reference to the unique ID value for that item.

The second user can then quickly find the item using the unique ID value.

The status column 122C indicates whether the user 12 has applied a particular status filter to the item. The status filter is generally selected from the full item record display, and, as noted above, may include the filter types"own, ""wanted,""for sale," "sold, "and"traded. "If a filter has been applied to an item, then the filter type is displayed in the status column 122C. The remaining columns 122D, 122E, 122F, 122G and 122H contain basic and extended item information relevant to the item, which in this example is a coin item that is characterized by denomination 122D, coin type 122E, date/mint 122F, grade 122G, and current value 122H.

The collection management interface 64 also includes additional buttons 108,110,

112, 114. 115, and 120 and drop-down boxes 116, 118 for engaging the operations described in FIG. 3. Button 108 engages the print list function 92. Button 110 engages the fast add function. Button 112 engages the create item record function 90. Button 114 engages the create set record function 84. And Button 115 engages the clear collection

function 95. As described above, these functions operate on the selected collection type and collection category.

The graphical elements 116,118 and 120 provide the user 12 with options for filtering and sorting the data items displayed in the display table 122 for the selected collection category. Element 116 is a drop-down box (shown in more detail in FIG. 4B) that permits the user to select a particular status filter. Once selected, the display table 122 will be modified so as only to display those item records that match the selected filter type. For example, if the user 12 selects the"wanted"status filter from the drop-down box 116. then only those item records that have the"wanted"status type will be displayed in the table 122. The elements 118,120 are used to modify the ordering of the item information in the table 122. Using the drop-down box 118, the user can select a particular data column 122A-122H as the column that will be used for sorting the items.

Typically. the item records will be sorted by ID value. However, using elements 118, 120, the user 12 can select a different column to sort on, and once selected using the drop-down box 118, the user 12 can then select the sort button 120 to re-sort the item records in the display table 122.

Also shown in FIG. 4A are hyperlink graphics for selecting other modules in the system 20. For example, links to the collection management module 30, the inventory module 32. and the gallery module 34 are shown. Graphical buttons 124,126, and 128 are used to link to these other modules. An additional graphical indicator is placed next to the button of the current module so that the user 12 knows what module they are

currently operating. These hyperlink buttons are generally available in any of the web n

pages associated with the system 20 so that users 12 can quickly link back and forth between the various operational modules of the system.

FIG. 5 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled through the fast add function 88 of the present invention. This function 88 begins at step 130. A web page display is provided for the selected collection type and category that enables the user 12 to either search manually 134, or to browse 132 through the pre-populated collection template 44C associated with the particular category of collection. Preferably, the user 12 will use the search 134 and/or browse functions 132 to identify a particular subcategory of items for which they have numerous entries to make for their particular collection. As noted above, in the prior systems, a user 12 would have to manually enter the item information for each item. Using the fast add function 88, however, the user 12 drills down to a particular sub-category within the pre-populated template 44C, and from there, the user 12 can add numerous items, and the fast add function 88 then automatically generates the item records using the basic item information stored within the pre-populated template 44C.

At step 136, the fast add display page is transmitted to the user's browser. This display page is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7. From the display page (FIG. 7), the user 12 may select a status filter at step 138 to apply to all of the items they are about to enter for this sub-category. Thus, for example, if all the items that are to be added are"owned"by the user 12, the user can select the"own"filter so that this status filter type is associated with all of the item records that will be automatically created by the fast add function 88. At step 140, the user then adds the items via a special fast add display table 194, as shown in FIG. 7. For a coin collection, this table is preferably

organized as a series of rows and columns, where the columns represent the grade of the coin, and the rows represent the date and mint of the coin. Data entry boxes at the intersection of the rows and columns of the table are used to enter numerical values corresponding to the number of items for a particular date/mint and grade. Note, however, that this is only an example that is used for coin collections, and for other types of collections, the rows and columns may be associated with different types of information.

Having entered the numerical values into the display table 194, the fast add function 88 then creates the individual item records for each item entered into the table using the basic item information that is pre-stored in the pre-populated collection template 44C and the status field information if one was selected at step 138. The item records are stored in the user's collection 44B. If there are more items to add via the fast add function (i. e. , items associated with a different sub-category), then at step 144 control passes back to either the browse 132 or search functions 134, and the user 12 can select another sub-category. If there are no additional items to add at step 144, then the fast add function ends 146.

FIG. 6 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled through the create item record function 90 of the present invention. As noted above, this function 90 is used to manually add item records to a user's collection 44B. The function starts at 150. From here, the user 12 can either search or browse (step 152) through the prepopulated collection template 44C for the particular collection type and category in order to find the particular item to add to their collection. Once the item is found, the user 12 selects the item at step 154, which automatically retrieves the basic item information

from the pre-populated template 44C and places this information into the item record. From here. a full item record display page shows the basic item information, and includes fields for manually entry of the extended item information. At step 156, the user has the option to enter the extended item information for the particular item.

The basic item information is the information that generally identifies the particular item, and which is stored in the pre-populated template 44C, as further shown in FIG. 8B. The extended item information is additional information that relates to the item which is not necessarily needed in order to identify the item, such as, for example in a coin category of collection, the grade 158, the grading service 160, the material of the coin 162, a description of the coin 164, the status of the item 166 as set by the status filter, the price paid for the item 168, the price at which the item was sold 170, and a general comment field 172. Once the user 12 has completed entering the extended item information. control passes tu step 174, and the function 90 stores the basic item information and the extended item information into the user's collection 44B. The function then returns 176.

FIG. 7 is a graphical depiction showing the layout of the preferred fast add data input page 136 of the present invention. As described above with reference to FIG. 5, the fast add function 88 provides a unique mechanism that enables the user 12 to quickly and automatically add a large number of item records to their collection data 44B. The fast add data input page 136 is similar in many ways to the collection management interface 64 shown in FIG. 4A. Both pages include the collection type selection bar 100 (including buttons 100A, 100B, 100C, and the collection summary button 102). Both pages include the collection category selection tabs (including tabs 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, and the

collection summary tab 104.) And both pages include the links 124, 126, 128 for linking to another module in the system 20.

The fast add data input page 136 includes a different set of function buttons and a different display/input table than that shown in FIG. 4A. The fast add page 136 includes a status filter drop-down box 116 for selecting a particular status filter type to apply to all of the items that are added through the fast add feature. Also included is a listing 188 of the particular sub-category that was selected by the user 12 during the browse and/or search steps 132, 134 shown in FIG. 5.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user 12 has selected the sub-category based on the denomination of small cents, and the type of flying eagle. Having selected this sub-category, the fast add function 88 then displays a data entry table corresponding to the basic item information associated with the selected sub-category. Here, the display/input table 194 includes the grade of the coin in each column, and the date/mint in each row. At the intersection of each row/column is a data entry field 196. Thus, in this example, each data entry field corresponds to a particular grade and a particular date/mint of flying eagle coin. As noted above, this table may use different items of information for different categories of collections, and different types of collections.

As described with reference to FIG. 5, the user 12 then enters numerical values, 196A, 196B into those data entry fields that correspond to the coins in their collection.

Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the user 12 has fourl856 coins with an MS65 grade, one 1856 coin with an AU55 grade, three 1857 coins with an MS60 grade, one 1857 coin with an EF 40 grade, and two 1858 coins with an MS63 grade. After entering these values, the user 12 then selects the fast add button 180, which carries out the

automatic item record creation step described in association with step 142. Provision is also made in the fast add display/input interface for modifying a prior search 182, conducting a new search 184, and returning to a browse-able list of collection categories/items 186.

FIG. SA is a data structure diagram showing an example methodology for storing a plurality of collection types according to the present invention. This data structure is preferably stored in the user collection data store 44B. At the highest level of the structure is a field that identifies the collection type 202, such as coins, paper money, baseball cards. wine, etc. Within each collection type data field are pointers or other variables associated with a plurality of collection categories 204, such as US Federal coins, Colonial coins, etc. Each collection category 204 then includes pointers or other variables associated with the individual item records 206 within each category 204. The item records correspond to the individual collectible items that have been input into the collection management system 20 by the user 12, either manually 50C, through the bulk uploader process 50B, or through the automatic edit function 50A. Each item record 206 includes basic item information 208, extended item information 210, and status information 212. As described above, the basic item information 208 includes information sufficient to uniquely identify the item. This basic item information 208 is stored in the pre-populated collection templates 44C so that the user 12 can utilize the fast add function 88 to automatically create a large amount of item records. The extended item information 210 provides additional descriptions of the item that are not necessarily linked to the item's identity, such as price paid, price sold, grade, grading entity, etc. There are many types of extended item information that could be used with the present

invention. The status information 212 is the status filter type, if one has been applied by the user 12, which. as described above, is used by the system 20 to further control, manage and characterize the user's 12 collection data 44B FIG. 8B is a data structure diagram showing an example methodology for storing the pre-populated data collection templates 44C utilized by the present invention. These templates 44C preferably include the basic item information associated with items that can be collected and managed through the system 20. By providing this structure 44C, the present invention enables the use of a fast add function 88 (described above) for quickly and automatically adding a large number of item records to a particular collection.

FIG. 8B shows an example sub-categorization of basic item information associated with a coin collection type. The highest level of structure in this template hierarchy is the collection category level 302. Alternatively, the templates could be allocated and structured by collection type. Within a particular coin category 302, such as US Federal coins, the first level of basic item information (and thus sub-categorization) is the denomination level 304. Each category 302 includes pointers or other variables that link to the denomination information 304. The second level of basic item information (sub-categorization) is the type level 306. Thus, within each denomination of coin there are a plurality of types 306. The third level of information within each type of coin is the variety 308. The fourth level of information within each variety 308 is a date range 310. Thus, for each variety of coin 308, there are one or more date ranges 310 by which the coin can be further sub-categorized. The fifth level of basic item information is the actual date 312 of the coin. And finally, within each date field 312 are

the one or more items 314 that correspond to the sub-categorization. Other basic item information 208 could be included in the item field 314 at this point in the hierarchy.

Thus, for a particular item, which can be searched for or browsed to using the fast add function 88, once the item is found, the date, date range, variety, type, denomination and category of the collectible are all automatically known by virtue of the structure of the pre-populated template 44C. Thus, this identifying information can be automatically loaded into the item record so as to identify the item, thereby relieving the user 12 from having to enter this information for each item in their collection.

FIG. 9 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled by the inventory module (IM) 32 of the present invention. The inventory module (IM) 32 provides a means for the users 12 to gain access to (and perhaps purchase from) the inventory of collectibles maintained by the operator of the online collection management and marketing system 20. This inventory is stored in the inventory database 42, and includes textual descriptions of the items in the inventory 42A along with images of the items 42B. As described in step 242, below, the IM 32 is linked to the CMM 30 through the automatic edit path 50A.

The user 12 selects the inventory module 32 from any of the graphical interface web pages that have a link to this module, such as links 126 shown in FIGs. 4A and 7.

The user 12 enters this module at step 220. From here, a graphical display is presented to the user 12 indicating that the IM 32 has been entered. The user 12 then decides 222 to either search through 224 or browse 226 the inventory content 42A of the system 20. Once a particular item (or items) is (are) located, control passes to step 228, and the user 12 selects the view type to display the image (s) 42B of the particular item (s). The

preferred IM 32 includes three view types, a tray view 230, an image list view 232, and a text list view 234. In the tray view 230, the IM 32 displays the images 42B for a selected item or group of items in a grid format, such that a plurality of images 42B appear in a single display page. In the image list view 232, a single item image is displayed through the graphical interface. And in the text list view 234, only text information is displayed to the user 12.

Once the images/text are displayed to the user 12 in steps 230,232 or 234, the user 12 then selects a particular item at step 236. From here, the user can obtain more detailed information about the item, such as by viewing a high-resolution detailed image of the item 246, or the user 12 can purchase the item 238, or the user 12 could add the item to their"want list"by engaging the automatic edit function 242 to add a new item record for this item to the user's 12 collection that includes the status filter type"wanted" in the item record.

If the user 12 decides to purchase the item at step 238, then control passes to step 240, and the user 12 is given the opportunity to review their purchase decision and verify the transaction with the system 20. If, at step 240 the user is satisfied with the transaction, then a purchase is effected preferably using electronic means such as a credit card or other electronic money transfer, and control passes to step 242. Since the user 12 has purchased the item, the system 20 at step 242 automatically enters the collection management module 30 through path 50A and creates a new item record for the purchased item in the user's 12 collection data 44B. If the user 12 cannot purchase the item at this time, then they may want to just add the item to their"want"category by adding control 32

passes from step 244 to 242, as noted above. In this manner, the IM 32 is linked to the CMM 30 through the automatic edit function 242. The user 12 can exit from the IM 32 at step 250 by selecting another module, or by leaving the web site system 20.

FIG. 10 is a logical flow chart setting forth the preferred steps enabled by the alerts module (AM) 38 of the present invention. The alerts module (AM) 38 provides a mechanism for marketing collectibles to particular users 12 based on an analysis of the specific item records and status filter settings input by the users 12 into their collections 44B. At step 262 the alerts module is executed. In one embodiment of the invention, the alerts module 38 is always operating within the system 20. In another embodiment, a trigger mechanism 262 is used to periodically execute the steps shown in FIG. 10. This trigger mechanism 262 could be a manual trigger operated by the system operator, or it could be a timing trigger such that the alerts module 38 is triggered to execute once per day, or once per hour, etc. Other forms and logical rules for triggering the alerts module 38 could also be implemented.

Once triggered, the alerts module 38 applies a set of matching logic 264 to the data stored in the system database 40. Specifically, two types of matching functions are preferred, a want list matching function, and an own list matching function. These functions are implemented within the matching logic 264. In the want list matching function, the alerts module 38 compares the item records in the numerous user's 12 want lists (i. e. , those records that have their status flag set to"wanted") to the inventory content 42A of the system 20. If a particular item is within the inventory of the system operator, and a particular user 12 has indicated that they want this item, then the matching logic will indicate that a match has been located.

Similarly, with respect to the own list matching function, the matching logic will compare groups of item records in each user's 12 collection data 44B against the pre populated template data 44C to determine whether there is an item that this user might want to purchase. For example, a user 12 may own 9 out of 10 items in a particular subcategory of the collectible category, and based on this information, the matching logic 264 would infer that this user 12 would likely want to purchase the missing item. In this situation, the matching logic will indicate that a match has been located. Whether the missing item is in the operator's current inventory 42A is not necessarily relevant to this own list matching function, since the system operator may subsequently acquire the missing item on behalf of the particular user 12.

If the matching logic does not indicate there are any matches from either the want list matching function or the own list matching function, then at step 266, control passes to step 276. and the alerts module returns to its initial state 260, from which it either recycles through the steps 262-276, or it waits until the next trigger signal 262 activates the matching logic.

If matches are found, then at step 266, control passes to step 268, where the system 20 applies a set of business rules 268 to the matching information from the matching logic 264 in order to determine whether a particular user 12 should be notified.

For example, certain users 12 may decide that they do not want to be marketed to through the system 20. In this case, even if there is a match as determined by the matching logic 264, the system would not notify the user 12. Many other business rules can be applied in this step 268 in order to filter those matches from the matching logic 264 that will trigger subsequent marketing steps.

If the business logic 268 indicates that a match should trigger additional steps, then at step 270, control passes to step 272, and the system 20 sends a notification (preferably bye-mail, although this could be a fax notification, telephone call, or some other form of communication) to the user 12 that is associated with the match in order to market a particular item to that user 12. So, for example, if the user indicated that they "wanted"a particular coin, and the system 20 includes that coin in its inventory database 42, then the system 20 would send the user 12 a notification indicating that the system operator had the coin they wanted and offering to sell that coin to the user 12. This notification message is then stored in the system database 40, and the user's data in the registration data store 44A is updated to indicate that a notification has been sent. This later step is done so that the system 20 does not continually transmit notification messages to the user 12. For each match that passes through the business logic 268, a similar notification message is sent to the appropriate user 12. In this manner, the present invention provides an automatic, targeted, online collectibles marketing system that is unknown in this field, and which provides an avenue for targeted, direct marketing for the system operator based on the user's 12 collection data 44B.

The preferred embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the invention. Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims (27)

1. An online collection management and marketing system for communicating with a plurality of collectors, comprising : a server for executing a plurality of software modules, including: a registration module for registering collectors with the system; a collection management module for inputting collection data into the system; an inventory module for displaying information regarding collectible items that may be purchased through the system; a real time pricing module for obtaining updated pricing information regarding certain collectibles and for enabling the system to value a particular collection; and a marketing module for analyzing the collector's collection data to determine whether they would want to purchase a particular item, and for transmitting marketing messages to the collectors in response to the analysis; and a database for storing registration data generated by the registration module, collection data generated by the collection management module, inventory data, and real-time pricing data.

2. An online collection management system for managing collection data from a plurality of remotely-located users in a central location, wherein the collection data is associated with a plurality of collection types, each collection type including one or more collection categories, comprising : a collection management server for interfacing with the plurality of users, the collection management server including a collection management graphical user interface for selecting a particular collection type and category, and for subsequently inputting related collection data into the system ; and a database for storing the collection data for each user, wherein the database organizes the stored data by collection type and category.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the collection management server is a web server and the collection management graphical user interface includes one or more web pages.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is coupled to the Internet.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a database server coupled between the collection management server and the database for controlling the storage of collection data to the database.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the collection management server further includes a registration module for registering users with the system.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the collection management server further includes an inventory module for displaying information to the users regarding items that are for sale through the system.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the collection management server further includes a real time pricing module for obtaining real time pricing data for collectible items that are managed through the system, and for use by the users in valuing their collection data.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the collection management server further includes a marketing module for determining whether a particular user would be interested in purchasing a particular collectible item and for sending a message to that user indicating that the item is for sale through the system.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the collection types include coins and paper money.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the collection categories include United States federal coins and colonial coins.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the users interface with the collection management server using a web browser.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the database includes : a registration data store for storing registration data on the users that are authorized to use the system ; and a user collections data store for storing collection data for each user.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the database further includes: a real time pricing data store for storing real time price data regarding the collectible items that can be managed through the system.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein the database further includes: a plurality of pre-populated collection templates for each collection type, wherein the pre-populated collection templates store basic identification data regarding the collectibles items that can be managed through the system.

16. The system of claim 16, wherein the collection management graphical user interface includes a data input table that is linked to the pre-populated collection templates.

17. A method of managing one or more collections of collectible items via an online collection management system, comprising the steps of : registering users with the collection management system; for each registered user, inputting collection data into the system associated with a plurality of collectible items; and storing the collection data for each registered user in a common database.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of : obtaining real time pricing data for the collection data stored in the database ; and calculating a valuation of each user's collection by applying the real time pricing data to the collection data.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of : selecting a first collection type;

inputting collection data into the system associated with a plurality of collectible items of the first collection type; selecting a second collection type; and inputting collection data into system associated with a plurality of collectible items of the second collection type, wherein the collection data for the first collection type and the second collection type are stored in a common data structure.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of : categorizing at least one item in the collection data using a status filter.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the status filter indicates whether the item is owned by the user inputting the collection data into the system.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the status filter indicates whether the item is wanted for purchase by the user inputting the collection data into the system.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the status filter indicates whether the item is for sale by the user inputting the collection data into the system.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the inputting step further comprises the steps of : providing a pre-populated collection template, wherein the pre-populated collection template includes a hierarchical data structure that identifies collectible items for a particular collection type and category using a plurality of sub-categories; displaying a data input table that includes input fields associated with collectible items within a particular sub-category of the collection type and category, wherein the data table is linked to the pre-populated collection template; inputting a numerical value into the input fields of the data table that correspond to the number of collectible items for the particular sub-category; and automatically generating and storing item records for each item in the collection using the data stored in the pre-populated collection template.

25. An online method of marketing collectible items to a plurality of collectors, comprising the steps of : inputting collection data for each collector into an online collection management system and storing the collection data into a database; analyzing the collection data for each collector to determine whether the collector may desire to add a particular collectible item to their collection; and transmitting a notification message to the collector indicating that the particular collectible system.

41

26. A method of storing data item records for collectible items in an online collection management system, comprising the steps of : providing a pre-populated collection template including a hierarchical data structure that identifies collectible items for a particular collection type and category using a plurality of subcategories; displaying a data input table that includes input fields associated with collectible items within a particular sub-category of the collection type and category, wherein the data table is linked to the pre-populated collection template; inputting a numerical value into the input fields of the data table that correspond to the number of collectible items for the particular sub-category; and automatically generating and storing item records for each item in the collection using the sub-category data stored in the pre-populated collection template.

27. A method of categorizing collectible item data organized into a plurality of item records stored in an online collection management system, comprising the steps of : selecting a collection type for each item record stored in the system; selecting a collection category for each item record stored in the system; and selecting at least one status filter type for at least one item record that indicates the status of the collectible item.