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US 2003/0195833 A1Published application
System and method for improved information exchange in trade shows
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorRobert Baranowski
Life of this patent
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorRobert Baranowski
Estimating the term…
Attendance at a trade show can be made more efficient by providing a website that can be accessed prior to attending the show. Through the website, a schedule of exhibitors or events can be created, preferably based on user criteria defining exhibitors, products or services desired. This schedule can be kept and dynamically altered on a portable device with wireless communications capability that communicates with a wireless infrastructure providing a service area at said trade show. The wireless infrastructure can also be used for communication among trade show attendees, receipt of e-mail, information gathering, making purchases, etc.
A method for attending a trade show at a trade show venue, said method comprising carrying a wireless portable device with a user interface while attending said trade show, and, with said portable device, receiving information about said trade show from a wireless infrastructure that provides a wireless service area encompassing some or all of said trade show venue.
The method of 1, further comprising making a purchase by entering a purchase order into said portable device.
A trade show venue comprising:
A method of conducting a trade show at a trade show venue, said method comprising:
A method of soliciting attendance at a trade show, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
Commerce: marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes: trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency…
Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements: involving wireless systems
Information and communication technology [ict] specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to the field of conducting trade shows and conventions. The present invention also relates to the field of wireless systems for transmitting data electronically. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a wireless system to enhance the information exchange that takes place in a trade show environment.
Trade shows exist for two main reasons: information exchange and networking. Businesses and customers expend large amounts of money annually to participate in and attend trade shows to exchange information on products and services and to meet potential and existing partners face-to-face.
The information exchanged at trade shows is usually between businesses and potential customers. Traditionally, businesses with products or services to sell are the exhibitors at trade shows, and customers of these products and services are the attendees of the show. The intent is to create an environment where potential customers can evaluate products and services for purchase, while meeting with representatives of the companies that provide those products or services. If the information exchange and contact networking is done right, the attendee will have enough information to make an informed purchase. Purchases sometimes happen at the trade show, but more often larger purchases are made sometime after the show based upon information received and contacts made at the trade show.
The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, the drawings demonstrate and explain the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable device according to the principles of the present invention.
Throughout the drawings, identical elements are designated by identical reference numbers.
The present invention includes an embodiment in which a wireless infrastructure provides data to portable wireless units used by trade show attendees. The wireless units receive data from the supporting infrastructure that allows the attendee to maximize the efficient use of his or her time at the trade show. Using the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained.
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a trade show environment in which a wireless infrastructure supports the use of portable wireless units used by attendees of the show. The system illustrated in FIG. 1 can be scaled up or down to accommodate the size of the trade show.