WO2001063476A1 - Systemes et procedes d'utilisation de fonctionnalites dans des marches virtuels - Google Patents

Systemes et procedes d'utilisation de fonctionnalites dans des marches virtuels Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001063476A1
WO2001063476A1 PCT/US2000/004448 US0004448W WO0163476A1 WO 2001063476 A1 WO2001063476 A1 WO 2001063476A1 US 0004448 W US0004448 W US 0004448W WO 0163476 A1 WO0163476 A1 WO 0163476A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
functionalities
functionality
searcher
interface
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/004448
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert D. Fish
Original Assignee
Fish Robert D
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fish Robert D filed Critical Fish Robert D
Priority to AU2000230043A priority Critical patent/AU2000230043A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2000/004448 priority patent/WO2001063476A1/fr
Publication of WO2001063476A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001063476A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of wide area data networks.
  • Web pages are advantageous in that they are substantially free-form, thereby allowing individuals to express considerable creativity in posting information.
  • One downside of such freedom, however, is that the posted information is largely accessible only through keyword type searching, through search engines such as Yahoo!TM, LycosTM, GoToTM, and Northern
  • a major step in the evolution of the Internet was the addition of virtual stores that enforce at least some structure on the posters in the storage and presentation of information.
  • the added structure makes the underlying data much easier to access, but at least historically has invariably limited the creativity with which posters can display their information.
  • Previously known virtual stores for example, have always provided fixed parameter databases for storing information relating to particular types of products.
  • a used car may be described using a combination of pre-defined parameters such as make, model, year, color, mileage and price
  • a residential house may be described using a combination of pre-defined parameters such as number of bedrooms, number of baths, square footage, etc.
  • the fixed parameter nature of these databases not only limits the creativity of those listing information, but requires a large number of different databases and interfaces to accommodate many different types of products and services.
  • the evolving parameter marketplaces are contemplated to have databases in which ordinary end users can add new parameters, and such parameters are then made available for use by subsequent users. It is particularly desirable in the evolving parameter marketplaces that users are provided with summary historical usage information on the parameters, to guide the users in their choices of parameters to use in describing their own products, services, and other information. It is even more desirable for users to be provided with summary historical usage information on the values previously used with respect to individual parameters, to guide the users in their choices of values to use in describing their own products, services, and other information.
  • the present invention provides systems and methods for using functionalities in virtual marketplaces.
  • the invention allows ordinary users of the virtual marketplace (whether content provider, searchers, or both) to provide custom functions to other users through the virtual marketplace.
  • Such functions preferably operate on marketplace data contained within the marketplace, but need not do so.
  • Preferred embodiments include evolving parameter marketplaces.
  • a service provider accepts both data and functionalities from a plurality of data providers, and displays subsets of both the data and the functionalities to end users, preferably in a table format.
  • the data and functionalities are preferably stored as parameter- value pairs, with the columns of the table relating to selected parameters, and the cells of the various columns displaying values of the corresponding parameters.
  • the code sets driving the functionalities are not themselves displayed in the cell, but instead representations of the functionalities (graphical or textual icons) are displayed to represent the functionalities. End-users can access a functionality by clicking on a cell having an icon representing that functionality, or by moving the icon outside the cell, and then accessing the functionality from the new position.
  • the functionalities may operate without any interaction with the user, but more likely cause a new interface to open on the user's display. The user can then interact through the new interface. Most likely the new interface will also capture data from whatever row the functionality was contained, and may also capture data from cells located in other rows, or even within other display tables. It is also contemplated that a user can "drag and drop" data from cells into the new interface. Accordingly, users are not limited in their use of the virtual marketplace by interfaces provided by the virtual marketplace service provider. Instead, content providers (which in most cases may be independent from one another) can create or otherwise procure their own custom interfaces, which can then be hosted by the virtual marketplace service provider.
  • content providers may well find it unnecessary to have their own web sites, instead of using the virtual marketplace as their web site. In other instances content providers may choose to maintain their own web sites, possibly to modify the functionality from time to time, or to save on storage costs.
  • content providers may choose to maintain their own web sites, possibly to modify the functionality from time to time, or to save on storage costs.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic of a preferred interface for retrieving data.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic of an exemplary functionalities interface.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic of an alternative functionalities interface.
  • a data retrieval interface 100 generally includes a selected classification display 110, a three-row parameter/filter/units selector 120, a main data display table 130, column navigation slider 140, record navigation buttons 150, and other navigation buttons
  • the selected classification display 110 displays the classification or classifications that the user is using, preferably from a three level classification system (not shown) that includes spanning classes.
  • the three-row parameter/filter/units selector 120 defaults to the five, ten or some other number of the most frequently used parameters for the chosen classification.
  • the parameters are displayed as column headings.
  • columns and rows in display formats are more or less conceptually interchangeable, and all permutations of these are contemplated as alternative embodiments, as well as matrices in which the cells are noncontiguous horizontally, vertically, or in both directions.
  • the first row 121 of the parameter/filter/units selector 120 is labeled with the term
  • the second row 122 of the parameter/filter/units selector 120 is labeled with the term
  • the cells to the right are again in pairs, with the first cell of each pair either blank or. displaying a value used for filtering, and the second cell of each pair is a " ⁇ " symbol or other button that leads the user to a value selection interface (not shown).
  • the second row 122 is intended to receive values used in filtering the corresponding parameters.
  • the filters are preferably null at the outset, but can be filled in by the users.
  • One of the most important aspects of preferred systems is that they can display and filter on any combination of parameters.
  • the third row 123 of the parameter/filter/units selector 120 is labeled with the term "Units" at the far left.
  • the cells to the right are once again in pairs, with the first cell of each pair displaying a units measurement, and the second cell of each pair displaying the " ⁇ " symbol or other button that leads the user to a units selection interface (not shown).
  • the units information is employed in displaying the data in the corresponding column of the main data display table 130, with the system making appropriate calculations and rounding. Using this system, for example, a user can readily filter for and view Odometer data as miles or kilometers, regardless of how such data is stored, or convert Dollars into Yen.
  • the "Go Fish” button 128 tells the system to apply the parameters and value filters selected in rows 122 and 123, and produce the results in the main data table 130.
  • Other terms could be substituted for "Go Fish”, including “Apply”, or “Go”, “Build Table”, or “Submit”, and the button 128 could be located elsewhere in the interface 100.
  • the main display table 130 preferably contains between 6 and 30 columns, with many of the columns being positioned off the screen at any given time. This can be accomplished by the usual WindowsTM type of horizontal slider 140, or any other suitable manner, such as tab type navigational buttons that would show subsets of the columns. Where more columns are utilized than can conveniently fit on the display screen, the columns with filters can advantageously be moved to the far right. Thus, if a user is employing 10 columns in the main display table 130, and 3 of those columns contain a filter, then those three columns would preferably be automatically moved to columns 8-10, respectively. In so doing the first seven columns would contain the variable data of interest to the user. Such automatic movement of columns, however, is not depicted in the main display table 130 of Figure 1 to better illustrate the preferred filtering techniques.
  • the column farthest to the left is reserved for a "Select" button. Clicking on or near the word Select causes the system to display another interface (not shown) that preferably shows all the parameters and values stored on the system for the item (entry) having data displayed in the selected row.
  • users can move directly to the " ⁇ " symbol or other button, or alternatively users can type a parameter or value into the corresponding cell of the table.
  • the system verifies the validity of the entry, and provides assistance (such as transfer to the appropriate parameter or value interfaces) if the entry is invalid.
  • Values are displayed in the various rows of the main data display table 130 that correspond to items matching the selected classification 110, the parameters selected or defaulted in row 121, and the filters selected in row 123, in short for values matching the search request.
  • the table sorts by default from left to right, but can advantageously be resorted by data within any given column by clicking on the corresponding A or Tsort buttons 121 A, 121B at the head of the desired column.
  • the cells of the table can include text, icons, hyperlinks to web pages, files or the like. Where a hyperlink is in the cell, users can preferably jump directly to the linked site. Where a video, audio or other file is indicated, users can preferably open and play or display that file as the case may be. Where an e-mail address is indicated, the system preferably opens an interface to facilitate recording and sending of an e-mail to that address.
  • the record navigation buttons 140 and other navigation buttons 150 are intended to be similar to those used on other systems, and are self-explanatory.
  • the Spreadsheet button is used to send the data in the main display table 130 to the user as an ExcelTM, or perhaps some other spreadsheet format.
  • the sixth column of the main display table 130 is used to values for a More Info parameter.
  • the corresponding Units is set to Function, which means that the values depicted in the cells comprise functions rather than data.
  • Function which means that the values depicted in the cells comprise functions rather than data.
  • Figure 2 shows details of an exemplary Talk With Agent interface 200.
  • the interface 200 contains a title section 210, a stored values data section 220, a user data section 230, a message section 240, and navigation buttons section 250. All of these sections are optional, or could be modified or substituted with other sections, and even when included can have entirely different fonts, formats, and so forth.
  • the entire function is preferably designed by the content provider that provided the data for the corresponding row, and presumably was written to satisfy whatever particular interface needs were deeemed appropriate for that content provider.
  • the title section 210 is self-explanatory.
  • the title has the same wording as the function name, but as noted above there is no requirement in that regard, and in fact the title section can be omitted entirely.
  • the stored values data section 220 preferably echoes all or some of the data from the row being selected. Thus, even though the user may only be viewing 6 rows, all of the data stored on the selected item may be echoed.
  • the content provider may really only be interested in a subset of such data, or in the data for which the user provided filters. For example, an insurance company may choose to load information relating to its various policy offerings onto the system. Users could then see for themselves what policies are available by applying filters for gender, age, general health, or the like. It is the filters that may be of most interest to the insurer because that tells the insurer about the person doing the searching.
  • the user data section 230 is another way of obtaining data about the searcher. If the service provider has a sufficiently open system some or all of this information may be echoed from the user (searcher) membership record, and in any event may be added by the searcher as desired.
  • the stored values data section 220 and the user data section 230 are two columns of the same table, and share a vertical slider 239 to display information positioned out of view.
  • the message section 240 is shown here as a simple, stand-alone box, which may be entirely adequate. In other embodiments, however, the message section 240 may look more like an OutlookTM or HotMailTM e-mail message box.
  • the message box may also be supplemented or replaced by a voice interface for live voice communication with a representative of the content provider.
  • the navigation buttons section 250 contains two buttons in this example, a Cancel button 252 and a Send button 254, the uses of which are self-apparent.
  • Figure 3 depicts an alternative functionalities interface 300, generally comprising a title section 310, an instruction section 320, a user data section 330, a drag and drop receiving box 340, navigation buttons section 350, one or more branding or co-branding items 360, and one or more hyperlinks 370.
  • the title section 310 is similar to that described above with respect to Figure 2, except that here the title is worded differently from the name of the functionality that spawned it, and additional fonts are used.
  • the instruction section 320 provides users with instructions for using the interface, and could be simple, extensive, and even hyperlinked to provide additional assistance.
  • the user data section 330 captures whatever identification, billing, mailing or other information is deemed appropriate.
  • the navigation buttons 352, 354 of navigation section 350 are also self-explanatory.
  • the drag and drop receiving box 340 is intended to act as a receptacle for icons of songs, either through drag and drop or cut and paste.
  • the items added to the box may be icons contained in the main display table 130, or from elsewhere.
  • Those skilled in the art will recognize that many other functions could be included or substituted, such as statistical routines where the user is prompted to drop data items (or indeed entire spreadsheets) into a receiving box.
  • the content providers will likely choose to display their own branding labels, logos, and so forth, and may well choose to include brand names, logos and so forth of others.
  • the functionality involves making and delivering a custom CD, but the content provider is also co-branding the site with a PepsiTM commercial message in branding section 360.
  • the content provider has also chosen to provide a hyperlink 370 to its own web site.
  • inventive subject matter is not, however, limited by the examples given above.
  • functionalities will be provided that comprise a product ordering interface, or at least transmit information regarding the data searcher to a sales representative.
  • Such interfaces may advantageously provide for live communication between the data searcher and a sales representative, and may also assist the data searcher in producing a custom product for the data searcher (such as the custom CD).
  • the functionality may also provide a routine that alters the parameters and filters previously chosen by the searcher, thereby assisting the searcher to locate products of a given type, or manufacturer.
  • Still other contemplated functionalities may assists a user in procuring a software update, or in indexing or tagging a document.
  • the types of products being handled by the functionalities may be virtually anything, but especially including physical products and service products.
  • a content provider having products to auction may include a functionality that statistically compares the progress of a given auction to other auctions for the same product.
  • the functionality may provide an agent that searches for information not displayed in the table.
  • the functionality may be executed on the hardware of the service provider, the content provider, the searcher, some other machine, or any combination of these. However, it is particularly contemplated that the functionality may be executed at least in part on a computer local to the data searcher, or at least in part on a computer local to the at least one of the plurality of data providers that loaded the functionality. Along the same line, storage of the various functionalities may occur executed on the hardware of the service provider, the content provider, the searcher, some other machine, or any combination of these.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des systèmes et des procédés d'utilisation de fonctionnalités dans des marchés virtuels. En termes génériques, l'invention permet à des utilisateurs ordinateurs du marché virtuel (qu'ils soient fournisseurs de contenu ou logiciels explorateurs de contenu ou les deux) de fournir des fonctions personnalisées à d'autres utilisateurs par l'intermédiaire du marché virtuel. Ces fonctions interviennent de préférence sur des données de marché contenues à l'intérieur du marché mais pas nécessairement. Les modes de réalisation préférés comprennent des marchés à paramètres évolutifs. De nombreuses fonctionnalités sont envisagées, notamment la commande de produits, la conversation avec représentant commercial, la production de produits personnalisés ainsi que la fourniture d'une analyse statistique. La fonctionnalité peut être stockée physiquement et exécutée sur le matériel du fournisseur de services, du fournisseur de contenu, du logiciel de recherche, de toute autre machine ou de n'importe quelle combinaison de ceux-ci.
PCT/US2000/004448 2000-02-22 2000-02-22 Systemes et procedes d'utilisation de fonctionnalites dans des marches virtuels WO2001063476A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2000230043A AU2000230043A1 (en) 2000-02-22 2000-02-22 Systems and methods for using functionalities in virtual marketplaces
PCT/US2000/004448 WO2001063476A1 (fr) 2000-02-22 2000-02-22 Systemes et procedes d'utilisation de fonctionnalites dans des marches virtuels

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2000/004448 WO2001063476A1 (fr) 2000-02-22 2000-02-22 Systemes et procedes d'utilisation de fonctionnalites dans des marches virtuels

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001063476A1 true WO2001063476A1 (fr) 2001-08-30

Family

ID=21741077

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/004448 WO2001063476A1 (fr) 2000-02-22 2000-02-22 Systemes et procedes d'utilisation de fonctionnalites dans des marches virtuels

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2000230043A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001063476A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5745900A (en) * 1996-08-09 1998-04-28 Digital Equipment Corporation Method for indexing duplicate database records using a full-record fingerprint
US5758331A (en) * 1994-08-15 1998-05-26 Clear With Computers, Inc. Computer-assisted sales system for utilities
US6029141A (en) * 1997-06-27 2000-02-22 Amazon.Com, Inc. Internet-based customer referral system
US6064980A (en) * 1998-03-17 2000-05-16 Amazon.Com, Inc. System and methods for collaborative recommendations

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5758331A (en) * 1994-08-15 1998-05-26 Clear With Computers, Inc. Computer-assisted sales system for utilities
US5745900A (en) * 1996-08-09 1998-04-28 Digital Equipment Corporation Method for indexing duplicate database records using a full-record fingerprint
US6029141A (en) * 1997-06-27 2000-02-22 Amazon.Com, Inc. Internet-based customer referral system
US6064980A (en) * 1998-03-17 2000-05-16 Amazon.Com, Inc. System and methods for collaborative recommendations

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2000230043A1 (en) 2001-09-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20240111400A1 (en) Methods and Apparatus for Managing and Exchanging Information Using Information Objects
US6993557B1 (en) Creation of customized web pages for use in a system of dynamic trading of knowledge, goods and services
US6256623B1 (en) Network search access construct for accessing web-based search services
US20020049792A1 (en) Conceptual content delivery system, method and computer program product
US20030065649A1 (en) Method and system for database queries and information delivery
KR20040058166A (ko) 객체 액션 네비게이션 패러다임을 통해서 유저에게 정보를제공하는 방법 및 시스템
CN101395696A (zh) 用于条目百科全书的协作结构化置标
CN101606152A (zh) 通过分类而自动匹配主体到客户的内容的机制
EP2263161A1 (fr) Systèmes et procédés pour tables des matières
CN103189888A (zh) 检索装置、检索装置的控制方法、程序、及信息存储介质
JP2000200282A (ja) 情報検索方法及び情報検索システム並びに情報検索処理プログラムを記録した記録媒体
EP1342181A1 (fr) Matrice de resultat de moteur de recherche
US20090037362A1 (en) Method of and software for performing a task
CN115033805A (zh) 一种学前儿童图画书智能推荐方法、图画书管理系统
WO2001063476A1 (fr) Systemes et procedes d'utilisation de fonctionnalites dans des marches virtuels
EP1659503A1 (fr) Système de suivi de l'histoire d'une base de données
KR101376251B1 (ko) 소셜 네트워크를 이용한 비상장사의 투자정보 제공 시스템 및 투자정보 제공방법
Lawson et al. Interdisciplinarity on campus: how the publishing world is responding
Eason et al. A comparative analysis of the role of multi-media electronic journals in scholarly disciplines
Aschoff et al. Cooperation technology and timeliness of information: Comparing travelbooks, wikis and online communities
Krˇcál Assessment of enterprise portal benefits
Vergara et al. Software for technological patent intelligence: evaluation of software and technological intelligence needs
Adhe et al. Library automation: issues and applications
Kanellopoulos et al. How the semantic web revolutionizes destination management systems
Nixon et al. D1. 1.2 Prototypical Business Use Cases

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase