Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for publishing data to a website, and particularly to methods for publishing product data to a website.

Background to the invention

An online marketplace (or online e-commerce marketplace) is a type of e-commerce site where a product or service information is provided by multiple third parties. Online market places are the primary type of multichannel e-commerce and can be a way to streamline the distribution and commerce process.

In an online marketplace, consumer transactions are processed by the marketplace operator and then delivered and fulfilled by participating retailers or wholesalers.

Online marketplaces are attractive because they provide consumers with the convenience of shopping or booking from the comfort of their own homes. They also provide safe and trusted environments to directly connect buyers and sellers, thereby saving both buyers and sellers money. Finally, the online marketplace creates a frictionless experience for consumers.

Currently, sellers using an online marketplace have to deal with a clunky, time consuming method in order to upload desired products to their online catalogue. In particular, in the case of a single product upload, the seller must input a complete list of product details including product description, display categories, attribute set, colours, sizes, brands, pricing, and images of the product. In the case wherein the seller wants to upload a plurality of products, they must input all of the aforementioned list of product details to an.XLS file, and then uploading the.XLS file to the online marketplace.

The above methods are time-consuming and lead to a deterioration in buyer and seller experience. Further, manual transportation inevitably leads to errors in the description of products which may cause goods to be misdescribed and hence, consumer law to be broken. Consequently, the seller may be at risk of both legal sanction and economic loss as goods may be returned due to errors in the description. For example, in the case that a prefix “Faux” was omitted from “Faux Leather” in the description of a product, this would be a breach of the law but also grounds for many consumers to return goods for being misdescribed.

Accordingly, an improved method of publishing products is desired.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a product publishing method for publishing a product to a website is provided, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by a central processor of a central computing device, and storing, on a central server, a central product database comprising a first product record and a second product record; generating, on a second party GUI of a second party computing device, a dashboard comprising the first product record and the second product record; receiving, by the second processor, an interest indicator, the interest indicator comprising a product identifier; generating, by the second party processor, an interest database comprising the product identifier; providing, on the second party GUI, the interest database; receiving, by the central processor and the network, a transfer request comprising the product identifier from the second party computing device; generating, by the central processor, a second party database; matching, by the central processor, the product identifier with the first product record; transferring, by the central processor and the network, the first product record from the central product database to the second party database; providing, on the second party GUI, the second party database having the first product record; receiving, by the central processor and the network, a publication request from the second party computing device; and publishing, by the central processor and the network, the first product record to a second party website, such that a product associated with the first product record is transferred from the central product database to the second party website.

In the context of the present invention, the term “first party” may refer to a supplier of a product, the term “second party” may refer to a seller of the product, and the term “third party” may refer to a buyer of the product. The term “product record” may refer to an electronically stored representation of a real-life product. Accordingly, the first product record may represent a first product and the second product record may represent a second product. The term “product identifier” may refer to a representation of a “product of interest”, as identified by the seller.

In this way, the seller may be presented with a centralised source of products via the dashboard comprising the product records. Advantageously, the dashboard may allow the seller to connect with a variety of suppliers without having to manually contact said suppliers, who may otherwise may not be so easily accessible. Further, the seller may indicate a product of interest, which may be subsequently transferred to the interest database (i.e. a wish list), wherein the interest database may be stored on the seller’s device. Advantageously, the seller may more easily keep track of which product records represent products of interest. The seller may then transfer product records present in the interest database to a product list, in which case the transfer request, having a product identifier corresponding to the product record of interest, may be sent to the central processor. The central processor may create the second party database corresponding to the seller by matching the product identifier with the product record of interest. Advantageously, the second party database may be stored centrally whilst being accessible by the seller. The seller may then choose to publish the product record representing the product of interest, in which case the central processor may publish the product record to the seller’s website. Advantageously, the seller may be able to publish a product record representing the product of interest to their website without having a stock of said product of interest, and without having a risk that may be associated with stocking said product of interest. Further advantageously, the seller may reduce an amount time spent publishing products to their website as no transcribing may be required. Further advantageously, the seller may invest more time on more commercial aspects of their business and therefore improve profitability. Further advantageously, transcription errors and omissions may be eliminated, thereby reducing the risk of consumer law infringement. Further advantageously, the associated costs may be reduced and a potential source of consumer dissatisfaction with products and consequent returns may also be eliminated, thereby potentially reducing costs and further improving profitability. Any number of product records may be generated and stored within the central product database. Further, all of the said product records may be generated on the second party GUI. In this way, any number of product records may be available to the second party.

The interest indicator may comprises any number of product identifiers. In this way, the seller may indicate any number of product records that may be of interest.

The interest database may also be generated, by the central processor, on the central server. In this way, the interest database may not be restricted to solely the seller’s device. Advantageously, the seller may access the interest database from an additional device.

The interest database may be a database or any other system suitable for storing data. Similarly, the second party database may be a database or any other system suitable for storing data.

The second party website may be generated and stored within the central server, or may be external.

Preferably, the first and second product records each comprise one or more selected from the range; a first party identification code; a first product identification code; a first product identification string; a first product identification image. In this way, each product record may be uniquely identifiable. Similarly, in this way, the first party (i.e. the supplier) may be uniquely identifiable. Further in this way, each product record may comprise relevant descriptive elements, such as text or imagery representing the corresponding product. Advantageously, the seller may more easily identify a desired product.

The first product identification image may comprise any number of .jpeg or any other suitable image file formats.

The first product identification string may comprise any number of text files. Further preferably, the product identifier comprises one or more selected from the range; a second party identification code; a second product identification code; the first product identification string; the first product identification image. In this way, the second party (i.e. the seller) may be uniquely identifiable. Further, in this way, the second product identification code may be used to identify the product of interest.

In some embodiments, the first product record is matched with the product identifier by determining, by the central processor, that the first product identification code matches the second product identification code. In this way, the product of interest corresponding to the product identifier may be matched with a product record that is stored within the central database.

Preferably, the first and second product records each further comprise a stock volume indicator. In this way, a volume of stock of the products held by the supplier may be represented within the product records.

The stock volume indicator may be an integer, a percentage value or any suitable means for representing the volume of stock.

Further preferably, the method further comprises: determining, by the central processor, that the stock volume indicator meets a predetermined stock volume threshold. Preferably, this determination step is requisite for the publishing step. In this way, the volume of stock of the products may influence whether a product is transferred from the central database to the product list. Advantageously, the second party may only publish a product to their website if the first party has stock of the product.

In some embodiments, the predetermined stock volume threshold is 1. In further embodiments, the predetermined stock volume threshold has any value.

In an additional embodiment, the method further comprises the altering method steps of: receiving, by the network, an alteration request from the second party computing device; determining, by the central processor, that the alteration request comprises the second party identification code, the product identification code , and one or more selected from the range of; a second product identification string; a second product identification image; uploading, by the network, the second product identification string and/or the second product identification image to the second party database. In this way, the seller may alter the images/strings comprised in the product record representing the product of interest. Advantageously, the alteration may only be carried out on the second party database, thereby leaving the first product identification image and the first product identification string unaltered within the central database. Accordingly, further second parties may access the central database and be presented with a dashboard comprising the unaltered first product identification string and the unaltered first product identification image.

The second product identification string may comprise any number of text files.

The second product identification image may comprise any number of.jpeg or any other suitable image file formats.

In some embodiments, the alteration request further comprises a deletion indicator comprising the first product identification string and/or the first product identification image. In this way, the first product identification string and the first product identification image may be marked for deletion.

Preferably, the method further comprises removing, by the central processor, in response to the deletion indicator, the first product identification string and/or the first product identification image from the second party database. In this way, the first product identification string and the first product identification image may be removed from the second party database. Advantageously, the second party may customise the descriptive elements of the product by performing the alteration method.

The alteration method may be repeated any number of times. Preferably, for each subsequent alteration method, the second product identification image and the second product identification string become the first product identification image and the first product identification string, respectively. In this way, for each subsequent iteration of the alteration method, the first product identification image and the first product identification string may be altered. In an additional embodiment, the method further comprises the publication request generation steps of: generating, on a GUI of the second party computing device, an interactable element corresponding to the product identifier; determining, by a processor of the second party computing device, an interaction with the interactable element; and communicating, by the network, the publication request to the central device. In this way, the second party may communicate the transfer request by interacting with the interactable element. Advantageously, the second party may publish products to the second party website without having to manually upload products in, for example, .XLS form.

The interactable element may be a slidable element, a button or any suitable means of interacting with the slidable element.

Preferably, the second party website comprises an interactable purchase element corresponding to the first product record. In this way, the second party website may provide means to a third party for buying the first product.

In an additional embodiment, the method further comprises the goods transfer method steps of: providing, on a third party GUI of a third party computing device, the second party website; determining, via a third party processor of the third party computing device, that the interactable purchase element has been interacted with; and communicating, by the network, a purchase indication to the first party computing device, wherein the purchase indication comprises the first product record. In this way, the third party may interact with the interactable element, thereby indicating their intention to buy the first product to the first party. Advantageously, the present invention automatically connects the third party to the first party.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: transmitting, by the network and the first party processor, an order completion indication to the central computing device; and updating, by the central processor, in response to the order completion indication, the stock volume indicator. In this way, the stock volume indicator may be dynamically updated. Advantageously, if the stock volume indicator were to no longer meet the predetermined stock volume threshold, then the present invention may automatically update the centralised database to reflect the stock volume indicator. Preferably, the method also further comprises the steps of: receiving, by the network, a return request comprising the first product record; transmitting, by the network, the return request to the first party computing device. In this way, the third party may indicate their intention to return the first product to the first party.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving, by the network, a return completion indication indicative of a completed return; updating, by the central processor, in response to the return completion indication, the stock volume indicator. Preferably, the central processor increases the stock volume indicator in response to the return completion indication. In this way, if the first product were to be returned, the present invention may automatically update the stock volume indicator. Advantageously, the stock may be tracked and updated dynamically.

An administrator may operate the central computing device at any step in the method, in order to edit, change, or delete data stored on the central server.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a system is provided suitable for carrying out the above method steps.

Any features described herein as being suitable for incorporation into one or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention, will be understood as being intended to be generalizable across any and all aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments will now be described by way of example only, and with reference the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a product publishing system in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2A shows a flow chart depicting an example supplier product uploading method in accordance with a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, performable by the product publishing system of Figure

1 ;

Figure 2B shows a flow chart depicting an example publishing method in accordance with a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, performable by the product publishing system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a flow chart depicting an example product purchasing method in accordance with a third embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, performable by the product publishing system of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 shows a flow chart depicting an example product returning method in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, performable by the product publishing system of Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 1, a schematic view of a product publishing system 100 in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention is shown.

The product publishing system 100 comprises: a central computing device 102, a supplier computing device 104, a seller computing device 106, a buyer computing device 108, and a central server 110. In use, communication between the computing devices 102, 104, 106, 108 is facilitated by a network 112. In the present example, the computing devices 102, 104, 106, 108 are desktop computers.

The central computing device 102 comprises a central processor 114 and a central display 116. The central computing device 102 is accessible by an administrator.

The supplier computing device 104 comprises a supplier processor 118 and a supplier display 120. The supplier computing device 104 is associated with a supplier.

The seller computing device 106 comprises a seller processor 122 and a seller display 124. The seller computing device 106 is associated with a seller. The buyer computing device 108 comprises a buyer processor 126 and a buyer display 128. The buyer computing device 108 is associated with a buyer.

Turning now to Figure 2A, a flow chart is shown depicting an example supplier product uploading method 200 in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, performable by the product publishing system 100 of Figure 1.

At step 202, the central processor 114 generates a centralised product database 113 and stores it on the central server 110. The centralised product database 113 comprises a supplier ID (identification) module, a product ID module, a product image module, a product string module, a stock volume module and a seller ID module.

A first product identifier associated with a first product, i.e. a chain necklace, is stored within the centralised product database 113. In particular, the first product identifier comprises: a first supplier ID, a first product ID, a first product image, a first product string, and a first product stock volume, all of which are stored within the corresponding module of the centralised product database 113. The first supplier ID represents the supplier of the chain necklace, i.e. Supplier X. The first product ID is an identification code representing the chain necklace, i.e. 1234. The first product image is a perspective view of the chain necklace. The first product string is a string representing the chain necklace, i.e. “Chain Necklace”. The first product stock volume is a number representing the level of stock of the chain necklace held by the first supplier, i.e. 22.

A second product identifier associated with a second product, i.e. a mini bag, is also stored within the centralised product database 113. In particular, the second product identifier comprises a second supplier ID, a second product ID, a second product image, a second product string, and a second product stock volume, all of which are stored within the corresponding module of the centralised product database 113. The second supplier ID represents the supplier of the mini bag, i.e. Supplier Y. The second product ID is an identification code representing the mini bag, i.e. 1235. The second product image is a perspective view of the mini bag. The second product string is a string representing the mini bag, i.e. “Mini bag”. The second product stock volume is a number representing the level of stock of the mini bag held by the second supplier, i.e. 0. In this example, the second product stock volume of 0 indicates that the supplier has no mini bag products within their stock.

At step 204, the supplier computing device 104, which is associated with Company Z, sends, via the network 112, a third product identifier to the central computing device 102.

The third product identifier is associated with a third product, i.e. a buckle belt and comprises a third supplier ID, a third product ID, a third product image, a third product string, and a third product stock volume. The third supplier ID represents Supplier Z. The third product ID is an identification code representing the buckle belt, i.e. 12346. The third product image is a perspective view of the buckle belt. The third product string is a string representing the buckle belt, i.e. “Buckle belt”. The third product stock volume is a number representing the level of stock of the mini bag held by the third supplier, i.e. 12.

At step 206, the central processor 114 stores the third supplier ID within the supplier ID module, the third product ID within the product ID module, the third product image within product image module, the third product string within the product string module, and the third product stock volume in the product stock volume module, of the centralised product database 113.

With reference to Figure 2B, a flow chart is shown depicting an example publishing method 220 in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, performable by the product publishing system 100 of Figure 1.

At step 222, the seller processor 122 requests, via the network 112, access to the centralised product database 113.

At step 224, the central processor 114 provides, via the network 112, a supplier dashboard on the seller display 124.

The supplier dashboard comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, corresponding to the chain necklace, the mini bag, and the buckle belt respectively. The first portion comprises the first product image, the first product string, the first product ID and a first interactable wish list element. The second portion comprises the second product image, the second product string, the second product ID and a second interactable wish list element. The third portion comprises the third product image, the third product string, the third product ID, and a third interactable wish list element. The interactable wish list elements are “plus” signs configured to react when clicked.

At step 226, the seller processor 122 registers a click performed by a mouse (or other pointing device/means) (not shown) on the second interactable wish list element and the third interactable wish list element. In this case, the first interactable wish list element has not been interacted with.

At step 228, the seller processor 122 generates a wish list dashboard, for display on the seller display 124, comprising a first portion and a second portion.

The first portion comprises the second product image, the second product string, the second product ID and a first interactable transfer element. The second portion comprises the third product image, the third product string, the third product ID and a second interactable transfer element. Accordingly, portions corresponding to the second and third products are present within the wish list dashboard. The interactable transfer elements are “plus” signs configured to react when clicked.

At step 230, the seller processor 122 registers a click performed by the mouse on the first interactable transfer element and the second interactable transfer element.

At step 232, the seller processor 122 transmits, via the network 112, a transfer request to the central computing device 102.

The transfer request comprises a first product transfer identifier and a second product transfer identifier. The first product transfer identifier comprises the second product ID and a seller ID. The second product transfer identifier comprises the third product ID and the seller ID. The seller ID is an identification code associated with the seller. At step 234, the central processor 114 matches the second product ID and third product ID comprised in the transfer request with the second product ID and third product ID stored in the product ID module of the centralised product database 113.

At step 236, the central processor 114 generates and stores a product list on the central server 110. The central processor 114 replicates the second product identifier and the third product identifier and stores both product identifiers in the product list. In addition, the seller ID is stored within the seller ID module, corresponding to the second and third product identifiers.

At step 238, the central processor 114 provides, via the network 112, a product list dashboard, on the seller display 124, comprising a first portion and a second portion.

The first portion comprises the second product image, the second product string, the second product ID, a first interactable publish element and a first interactable edit element. The second portion comprises the third product image, the third product string, the third product ID, a second interactable publish element and a second interactable edit element. Accordingly, portions corresponding to the second and third products are present within the product list dashboard. The interactable transfer elements are slidable elements. The interactable edit elements are text hyperlinks.

At step 240, the seller processor 122 registers an interaction with the first interactable edit element. In the present example, the interaction is a mouse click.

At step 242, the seller processor 122 generates, on the seller display 124, an editable text field and an editable image field.

At step 244, following the insertion of a new string in to the editable text field, and a new image file in to the editable image field, the seller processor 122 transmits, via the network 112, the second product ID, the new string and the new image file to the central processor 114.

At step 246, the central processor 114 replaces the second product string and the second product image - stored on the product list - with the new string and the new image file. Accordingly, the second product string and the second product image stored in the centralised product database 113 remain unchanged.

At step 248, the seller processor 122 registers interactions with the first interactable publishing element associated and the second interactable publishing element. In the present example, the interaction is a mouse drag from a first side of the slidable element to an opposing second side of the interactable element.

At step 250, the seller processor 122 transmits, via the network 112, a publish request to the central computing device 102. The publish request comprises the second product ID, the third product ID and a website ID. The website ID corresponds to a seller website associated with the seller.

At step 252, the central processor 114 matches the second product ID and the third product ID comprised in the publish request with the second supplier ID and the third product ID comprised in the product list.

At step 254, the central processor 114 determines that the second product stock volume does not meet a stock threshold of 1. Similarly, the central processor 114 determines that the third product stock volume indicator meets the stock threshold.

At step 256, the central processor 114 publishes the third product identifier to the seller website. In this case, since the second product stock volume (i.e. the stock of the mini bag) is 0, the central processor 114 does not publish the second product identifier to the seller website.

Accordingly, the product identifier is available for display should a party access the seller website. For example, the buyer computing device 108 may enter a website URL - associated with the seller website - in to a search engine, thereby gaining access to the seller website.

Turning now to Figure 3, a flow chart is shown depicting an example product purchasing method 300 in accordance with a third embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, performable by the product publishing system 100 of Figure 1. At step 302, the buyer computing device 108 accesses, via the network 112, the seller website.

At step 304, the buyer processor 126 generates a sales dashboard, for display on the buyer display 128, comprising a portion having the third product image, the third product string, the third product ID and an interactable buy element. The interactable buy element is a “plus” sign configured to react when clicked.

At step 306, the seller processor 122 registers a click performed by a mouse on the interactable buy element.

At step 308, the seller processor 122 transmits, via the network 112, a buy request comprising the third product ID.

At step 310, the central processor 114 matches the third product ID comprised in the buy request with the third product ID comprised in the centralised product database 113.

At step 312, the central processor 114 transmits, via the network 112, a buy notification to the supplier computing device 104, identifiable by the third seller ID, comprising the third product ID.

At step 314, the supplier processor 118 transmits, via the network 112, a dispatch notification to the central computing device 102, comprising the third product ID. The dispatch notification indicates that the buckle belt has been successfully dispatched and therefore, the stock is reduced by 1.

At step 316, the central processor 114 updates the third product stock volume stored in the stock volume module from 12 to 11 and updates the product list accordingly.

Regarding Figure 4, a flow chart is shown depicting an example product return method 400 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, performable by the product publishing system 100 of Figure 1. At step 402, the buyer computing device 108 accesses, via the network 112, the seller website.

At step 404, the buyer processor 126 generates a historic purchase dashboard, for display on the buyer display 128, comprising a portion having the third product image, the third product string, the third product ID and an interactable return element. The interactable return element is a “minus” sign configured to react when clicked.

At step 406, the seller processor 122 registers a click performed by a mouse on the interactable return element.

At step 408, the seller processor 122 transmits, via the network 112, a return request comprising the third product ID.

At step 410, the central processor 114 matches the third product ID comprised in the return request with the third product ID comprised in the centralised product database 113.

At step 412, the central processor 114 transmits, via the network 112, a return notification to the supplier computing device 104, identifiable by the third seller ID, comprising the third product ID.

At step 414, the supplier processor 118 transmits, via the network 112, a return notification to the central computing device 102, comprising the third product ID. The return notification indicates that the buckle belt has been successfully returned.

At step 416, the central processor 114 updates the third product stock volume stored in the stock volume module, from 11 to 12, and updates the product list accordingly.

The central computing device 102 may be used at any step in the methods 200, 220, 300 and 400 to access the components stored in the central server 110. In addition, the central processor 114 may edit or change any of said components stored in the central server 110 at any time. It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the computing devices may be any device suitable for carrying out the method steps as described below, such as a mobile device.

The central server may be any suitable means of storage, such as a cloud computing system or a database server.

The network may be any suitable means of communication between devices, such as an optical fibre network or a cellular network.

The product identifiers are by way of example only, and any suitable product identifier may be used.

The second supplier ID may be the same as the first supplier ID, indicating that Supplier Y and Supplier X are the same supplier, or they may be different, indicating that Supplier Y and Supplier X are different suppliers.

Any suitable means for accessing the seller website may be used, such as a hyperlink.

The product list described in the above method steps may be comprised in the central product database, or may be separate.

In the case that further product identifiers have been published on the seller website, additional portions may be generated on the sales dashboard corresponding to said further identifiers.

The interactable elements may be any interactable element suitable for interaction. Further, the interactable elements may be interacted with by any means suitable for registering an interaction.