WO2016164978A1

WO2016164978A1 - A web server for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface

Info

Publication number: WO2016164978A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/050273
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Muirhead
Original assignee: Andrew Muirhead
Priority date: 2015-04-16
Filing date: 2016-04-14
Publication date: 2016-10-20

Abstract

There is provided a web server for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface. The web server is configured for generating the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface in accordance with the user listing selections and wherein the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface comprises a row or column for each of a plurality of image categories, the row or column configured to display a respective category image data for the at least one image of the respective listings provided by at least two listing providers side by side for visual comparison; and is configured to allow the interaction by the web browser for ranking a preference order of the respective listing selections.

Description

A web server for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface

Field of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to a web server for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use online real estate listing comparisons and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background

[3] Nowadays, online listing platforms allow the searching of online listings of goods and services. However, such online listing platforms may comprise hundreds of thousands of listings serving only to present an information overload for the web browser.

[4] Specifically, and using the example of the real estate industry, a web browser may search for various properties available for sale.

[5] However, whereas the user may search for available properties in accordance with various parameters, such as price, location, and the like, it is very difficult for the web browser to manage the search results. For example, a web browser may receive 50 potential matching properties for each search query and thereafter therefore be tasked with deciding which would be the most appropriate to consider further.

[6] Various online listing platforms allow shortlisting of search results. For example, web browsers may save property results for later reviewing. However, such shortlisting quickly generates a further shortlist of not insubstantial number wherein again, the web browser is faced with the task of sorting through the shortlist.

[7] Furthermore, the web browser has a difficult time in deciding which of the most preferable of the search results or shortlist. Some online listing platforms allow for the rating of search results, such as by assigning star values from 1 to 5.

[8] However, often times the web browser assigns multiple search results with 5 stars, for example, thereby creating a further five star rating shortlist of not insubstantial number which again needs further consideration by the web browser.

[9] Furthermore, existing online listing platforms make it very difficult for the web browser to compare certain aspects of online listings. For example, when viewing multiple properties, the web browser may be quite particular about the style of bathroom. In this regard, using existing online real estate listing platforms, the web browser would need to manually click through to each property listings details page, either through a series of iterative steps or alternatively opening up multiple tabs within the web browser rendering it difficult to compare the bathrooms of the multiple selections of properties.

[10] Furthermore, existing online listing platforms make it difficult to compare various image categories of listings. For example, online real estate listings may comprise categorised images of the bathroom, bedroom, lounge and the like of various listed properties wherein, again, the web browser would need to manually click through to each property listing details to visually compare each image category.

[11] As a result, utilising conventional arrangements, a web browser is not able to effectively select, compare and record preferences for online listing search results. As a result, certain potentially applicable listings "full off the radar" of the web browsers consideration leading to missed opportunities and listing results not being effectively considered.

[12] It should be noted that none of the above constitutes an admission as to the prior art or common general knowledge.

Summary

[13] As such, with the foregoing problems of existing arrangements in mind, in the embodiments described herein, there will be described a web system for generating a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface, especially suited for use by web browsers in visually comparing online real estate listings, but not necessarily limited so. The comparison interface enables the visual side-by-side comparison of categorised images and other information from various real estate property listings that have been selected by the web user.

[14] Furthermore, over and above allowing the user to compare the corresponding aspects/categories of the selected property listings, the interface allows for the preference rank ordering of the property selections so as to allow the user to preference rank the properties in order to preference from most preferable to least preferable.

[15] Yet further, the web system is adapted for allowing social preference ranking wherein a web browser may refer a set of selected properties to friends so as to receive other user ordered preference rankings for comparison purposes.

[16] Now, for a comparison of the prior art, US 2009/0192862 Al (HOGGA D) referred to hereafter as Dl discloses a system and method for allowing a plurality of Sellers of real estate to either list their real estate "By Owner" or "By Agent." Those Sellers that list "By Owner" may select a time period after which their property may be converted to a "By Agent" listing. "By Owner" Sellers may choose to "push" their listing to only Agents that specialize in selling a particular type of property within the geographic region of the property. Agents may also offer their services to "By Owner" Sellers that have listed properties matching the Agent's specialty. Real estate Buyers may, through a single interface, access all properties that meet the Buyers' criteria, whether listed "By Owner" or "By Agent."

[17] As can be seen, such as from figure 9D of Dl, Dl discloses conventional rating wherein, for example, the user may assign a rating for a particular listing, such as from 1 - 5. However, it should be appreciated that such rating is provided only on an individual item listing details page.

[18] Furthermore, Dl, as per Fig. 9C, discloses a side-by-side comparison of various aspects/ categories/fields of property listings. However, the property listings shown are those matching search results of a property listing search and not of property listings which have been shortlisted by the web browser. Furthermore, whereas the figure does appear to provide shortlisting capabilities (see for example, "add to my buZZprops"), such is no different from conventional shortlisting arrangements.

[19] Furthermore, Dl fails to disclose the ability of the web browser to preference rank shortlisted listings from most preferable to least preferable.

[20] Furthermore, Dl fails to disclose the ability of the web browser to refer shortlisting is to friends for social preference ranking for comparison purposes.

[21] As such, it is clear that Dl at least fails to disclose the interface of the embodiments described herein allowing the user to 1) view shortlisted listings side-by-side such that each category of each respective listing may be compared, 2) manipulate the preference rank order of the shortlisted listings and 3) refer the shortlisted listings to friends for the purposes of receiving other user preference rank orders for comparison purposes.

[22] Furthermore, US 7725359 Bl (KATZFEY et al.), hereinafter referred to as D2 discloses systems and methods for providing an interactive electronic real estate web site. Buyers, sellers and a variety of different service providers are electronically and communicatively connected with each other to facilitate residential and commercial real estate transactions. Through the use of customized online forms, buyers and sellers are guided through the real estate transaction process through the use of a virtual real estate agent. Direct communication in the form of internal messaging and document sharing between buyers and sellers (and service providers) makes the transaction process more efficient and replaces the need for brokers and broker commissions. A timeline approach to the real estate transaction process affords efficiency and realistic expectations to the parties involved, user rewards are used as incentives for buyers and sellers to use preferred service providers.

[23] However, for similar reason as above, the D2 fails to address the deficiencies of Dl.

[24] Specifically, and whereas, for example, in figure 9, D2 displays an interface showing listing selections and the ability to order the rank of the listing selections, D2 does not allow for the visual comparison of the image categories of each listings. As can be clearly seen, the interface of figure 9 of D2 is entirely visually different from the interface, such as that which is shown in figure 10 as will be described in further detail below.

[25] Specifically, D2 fails to disclose the feature of the present embodiment of wherein the interface "comprises a row or column for each of the plurality of image categories, the row or column configured to display the respective category image data for the at least one image of the respective listings provided by at least two listing providers side by side for visual comparison".

[26] As such, as can be appreciated, the embodiments described herein quickly and efficiently allow a web browser to shortlist listings, visually compare the individual image categories of each listing side-by-side and further preference rank the listings in order from most preferable to least preferable. Such as an advancement over existing listing platforms comprising disparate detail page listings with no means for comparison, let alone ordered preference ranking for preference recording purposes.

[27] According to one aspect, there is provided a web server for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface, the web server comprising a database for storing: listing template data representing at least one listing template, the at least one listing template comprising a plurality of image categories; and listing data representing respective listings provided by at least two listing providers wherein, in use, the web server is configured to serve, to at least two listing provider client computing devices, a listing template webpage generated in accordance with the listing template data, the listing template webpage configured to receive categorised listing image data for the plurality of image categories representing a plurality of listing images; receive, from each of the at least two listing provider client computing devices, the listing data representing the respective listing provided by the at least two listing providers, the listing data comprising respective category image data for the plurality of image categories; serve, to a web browser client computing device, listing data representing the respective listing provided by the at least two listing providers; receive, from the web browser client computing device, respective listing selections of the listing provided by the at least two listing providers; and generate a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface in accordance with the respective listing selections, the interface comprising a side-by-side comparison of the respective category image data for the plurality of image categories; and serve, to the web browser client computing device, a web page comprising the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface, wherein he categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface comprises a row or column for each of the plurality of image categories, the row or column configured to display the respective category image data for the at least one image of the respective listings provided by at least two listing providers side by side for visual comparison; and is configured to allow the interaction by the web browser for ranking a preference order of the respective listing selections.

[28] The database may be further adapted for storing preference rank order data representing a preference rank order and wherein, in use, the web server may be further configured to: receive, from the web browser client computing device preference rank order update data generated by the web browser client computing device in response to the interaction by the web browser; and update, in the database, the preference rank order data in accordance with the preference rank order update data.

[29] In use, the web server may be further configured to: receive, from the web browser client computing device, other user contact information for communicating with at least one other user; and [30] send, to another user client computing device, another user web page comprising another user categorised visual comparison listing selection preference rank ordering interface wherein the other user categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface may be configured to allow the interaction by the other user to rank the respective listing selections in another preference rank order.

[31] The database may be further adapted for storing other user preference rank order data representing another user preference rank order and wherein, in use, the web server may be further configured to: receive, from the other user browser client computing device the another preference rank order; and update, in the database, the other user preference rank order data in accordance with the preference rank order update data.

[32] In use, the web server may be further configured to:

[33] serve, to the web browser client computing device, a web page comprising the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface, wherein the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface may be configured to display a preference rank of the web browser and the other user.

[34] The categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface may be configured to display a predetermined number of listing selections.

[35] The predetermined number may be 5.

[36] The web server may be configured to receive up to the predetermined number of listing selections.

[37] The web server may be configured to implement a FIFO stack of listing selections.

[38] The web server may be configured to:

[39] receive any number of listing selections, [40] receive, from the web browser client computing device, listing selections subselections from the any number of listing selections; and

[41] generate the categorised field comparison interface in accordance with the listing selections subselections.

[42] The web server may be configured to serve, to the web browser client computing device, a selected listing web page comprising the any number of listing selections and wherein each of the any number of listing selections may comprise an associated selection form control for configuring the listing selections subselections.

[43] The other user contact information may comprise at least one email address.

[44] The web server may be further configured for retrieving a plurality of social media contacts from a social media platform and receiving the other user contact information by way of a selection from the plurality of social media contacts.

[45] The columns represent the listing selections.

[46] The rows represent the plurality of image categories.

[47] Each of the rows or columns may comprise an associated form control configured for reducing the number of listing selections displayed by the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface.

[48] When the number of listing selections displayed may be less than a predetermined number, the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface may be configured to display further detailed information in relation to each of the number of listing selections displayed.

[49] Each of the respective category image data displayed by the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface may comprise a drill-down selection form control configured to display a drill-down interface of the respective category image.

[50] The drill-down interface may comprise a magnified image data of the respective category image data.

[51] The interaction for ranking a preference order of the respective listing selections may comprise client-side interaction.

[52] The listing comparison web page may comprise client side code configured for implementing the client-side interaction.

[53] The client-side interaction may comprise drag-and-drop gesture re-ordering of the rows or columns.

[54] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[55] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[56] Figure 1 shows a web in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[57] Figure 2 shows a computing device as is implemented by any one of the computing devices as is shown in Figure 1 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[58] Figures 3 - 15 show exemplary graphical user interfaces displayed by the client computing devices of the system of Figure 1 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Description of Embodiments

[59] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[60] Before the structures, systems and associated methods relating to the web server for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

[61] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

[62] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[63] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterised by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[64] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. System for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface

[65] Turning now to figure 1, there is shown a system 100 for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface. The categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface will be described in further detail below with reference to figure 5.

[66] In a preferred embodiment, the system 100 takes a web server architecture and therefore the embodiments described herein will be described with reference to the preferred embodiment of a web server configured to receive and serve HTTP listing to one or more client computing devices.

[67] Specifically, the system 100 comprises a web server 105. The web server 105 comprises a web server application 130, such as the Apache™ Web server. Operably coupled to the web server application 130 may be a hypertext preprocessor 125, such as the PHP™ hypertext preprocessor. The web server application 130 and the hypertext preprocessor 135 cooperate to retrieve static listing from one or more web page template files for augmentation with data from database 170 for the purposes of compiling one or more dynamic webpages for serving to one or more client computing devices.

[68] In the embodiments described herein, there will be described the provision of listing by one or more listing providers and the browsing of such provided listing by one or more web browsers. As such, in the embodiment shown, the system 100 comprises at least two listing provider client computing devices 140 operably coupled to the web server 105 via Internet network 135.

[69] Furthermore, the system 100 comprises at least one web browser client computing device 145, similarly operably coupled to the web server 105 across the network 135.

[70] As will be described in further detail below, at least two listing providers, using listing provider client computing devices 140 may create listing comprising data categorised in accordance with one or more categories for submission to the web server 105 for storage within the database 160. In this manner, when a web browser, utilising web browser client computing device 145 browses the listing of the web server 105, the web browser may select the listing provided by the two listing providers for comparison purposes wearing the web server 105 is configured to generate the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 as will be described in further detail below with reference to figure 5.

[71] Specifically, the database 160 comprises one or more admin configurable listing templates 110. The listing template specify one or more categories 115 for the content. As such, when providing content, the listing provider inputs categorise listing data correlating to each of the categories 115 of the listing templates 110 such that the web server 105 may store the provider listing within listing 120. [72] In a preferred embodiment, the categories relate to images, such as, wherein, for example, in the real estate industry, the various categories of images may relate to images of the bathroom, bedroom, lounge another typical images of properties. In this manner, the categorised images may be utilised for the purposes of the visual comparison of the categorised images of respect of listing. However, it should be noted that the embodiments described here and are not necessarily limited to categorised images and maybe

[73] By receiving the categorised listings in this manner, the web server 105, as alluded to above, is able to allow a web browser to select listing provided by at least two listing providers such that the selected listing may be compared in the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 as will be described in further detail below.

Computing device

[74] Fig. 2 shows a computing device 200 which may take the form of any of the computing devices as substantially shown in the system 100 of Figure 1.

[75] In particular the steps of the method for the generation of the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface as described in further detail herein, may be implemented as computer program code instructions executable by the computing device 200. The computer program code instructions may be divided into one or more computer program code instruction libraries, such as dynamic link libraries (DLL), wherein each of the libraries performs a one or more steps of the method. Additionally, a subset of the one or more of the libraries may perform graphical user interface tasks relating to the steps of the method.

[76] The device 200 comprises semiconductor memory 210 comprising volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The memory 210 may comprise either RAM or ROM or a combination of RAM and ROM.

[77] The device 200 comprises a computer program code storage medium reader 260 for reading the computer program code instructions from computer program code storage media to 65. The storage media to 65 may be optical media such as CD-ROM disks, magnetic media such as floppy disks and tape cassettes or flash media such as USB memory sticks.

[78] The device further comprises I/O interface 235 for communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The I/O interface 235 may offer both serial and parallel interface connectivity. For example, the I/O interface 235 may comprise a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar I/O interface for interfacing with the storage medium reader 260. The I/O interface 235 may also communicate with one or more human input devices (HID) 255 such as keyboards, pointing devices, joysticks and the like. The I/O interface 235 may also comprise a computer to computer interface, such as a Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) interface, for interfacing the device 200 with one or more personal computer (PC) devices 250. The I/O interface 235 may also comprise an audio interface for communicate audio signals to one or more audio devices 245, such as a speaker or a buzzer.

[79] The device 200 also comprises a network interface 240 for communicating with one or more computer networks 270. The network 270 may be a wired network, such as a wired Ethernet™ network or a wireless network, such as a Bluetooth™ network or IEEE 802.11 network. The network 280 may be a local area network (LAN), such as a home or office computer network, or a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet or private WAN.

[80] The device 200 comprises an arithmetic logic unit or processor 220 for performing the computer program code instructions. The processor 220 may be a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) or complex instruction set computer (CISC) processor or the like. The device 200 further comprises a storage device 230, such as a magnetic disk hard drive or a solid state disk drive.

[81] Computer program code instructions may be loaded into the storage device 230 from the storage media 265 using the storage medium reader 260 or from the network 270 using network interface 240. During the bootstrap phase, an operating system and one or more software applications are loaded from the storage device 230 into the memory 210. During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, the processor 220 fetches computer program code instructions from memory 210, decodes the instructions into machine code, executes the instructions and stores one or more intermediate results in memory 210.

[82] In this manner, the instructions stored in the memory 210, when retrieved and executed by the processor 220, may configure the computing device 200 as a special-purpose machine that may perform the functions described herein.

[83] The device 200 also comprises a video interface 215 for conveying video signals to a display device 205, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode-ray tube (CRT) or similar display device.

[84] The device 200 also comprises a communication bus subsystem 225 for interconnecting the various devices described above. The bus subsystem 225 may offer parallel connectivity such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and the like or serial connectivity such as PCI Express (PCIe), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) and the like.

Exemplary embodiments

[85] Having described the above technical architecture, there will now be described various exemplary embodiments with reference to figures 3 - 6.

[86] In this embodiment, the system 100 will be described with reference to use within the real estate industry wherein real estate agents and the like (content providers) may upload real estate listing data categorised in accordance with the categories 115 of the listing templates 110 of the database 160. In this manner, the prospective purchaser of a property (the web browser) may select one or more real estate properties for comparison wherein, upon receipt of the web browser selection, the web server 105 is configured to generate the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 allowing the web browser to visually compare the various properties, especially in the comparison of the categorised photographs/images of the property, such as the lounge, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom, floor plan, front of house views, map details agent details and contact information, inspection and auction details and the like.

[87] However, it should be noted that the system 100 need not necessarily be limited for application within the real estate industry and may be utilised in other industries also, such as, for example, for other goods and services, such as classified listings, such as for weddings, bikes, caravans, farm equipment, dating services, escort services, cars, boats and any other goods and/or services.

[88] Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments described below are exemplary only and that no technical limitation should necessarily be imputed to the embodiments described herein accordingly.

[89] Now, and as alluded to above, in these exemplary embodiments, the database 160 is configured to store listing template data 110 representing at least one listing template. The at least one listing template comprises a plurality of image categories 115. Furthermore, the database 160 comprises listing data 120 representing the listing provided by listing providers.

[90] In the embodiment described herein, there will be described listings provided by at least two listing providers so as to allow for comparison between the respective listings of the at least two listing providers. However, as will be seen in further detail below, in a preferred embodiment, the system 100 is configured to allow the web browser to compare a predetermined amount of listings of a plurality of providers, such as five, wherein, as can be seen from the accompanying drawings, there will be represented the "final five" representing the listing selected by the web browser for 5 listing providers.

[91] As such, turning to figure 3, there is shown an exemplary graphical user interface 300 as is displayed by the browser application of the listing provider client computing device 140. As alluded to above, in this exemplary embodiment, the listing would be provided by a real estate agent or the like when configuring a property listing. As such, as can be seen from the interface 300, the interface 300 comprises property information input fields 305 allowing the real estate agent to input data relating to the address, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking and the like, the type of property, and configure inspection and auction dates. [92] Now, the interface 300 further comprises one or more category fields corresponding to the categories 115 of the listing templates 110. Specifically, for the real estate listing configuration web page listing template 110, the listing template 110 may comprise the plurality of categories 115 requiring the user to upload various images. As can be seen from the interface, the web page requires the real estate agent to upload images relating to the lounge, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom and the floor plan.

[93] As will be seen in further detail below, by uploading the categorised imagery in this manner, the web browser is able to compare various properties by the images relating to the various categories of the property.

[94] It should be noted that whereas the categorised fields of the interface 300 is shown relating to images, it should be noted that other data may be categorised also, including those shown relating to the property information being the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking and the like, type of property and more. In this manner, whereas the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 as will be described in further detail below with reference to figure 5 be described primarily with reference to the visual comparison of property images, the other categorised data may be compared also.

[95] As such, having configured the real estate property using the interface 300, the web server 105 is configured to serve a webpage relating to the configured real estate property as substantially shown in figure 4. As can be seen from figure 4, the figure comprises an exemplary interface 400 displaying various information relating to the property as uploaded by the real estate agent using interface 300. The interface 400 would be displayed by the browser application 150 of the web browser client computing device 145, such as where the web browser browsers for various available properties.

[96] Now, should the web browser like a particular property, the web browser may utilise the "add to final 5" button 405 as substantially shown in the interface 400. Upon receipt of the web browser selection by the web server 105, the web server 105 will store the nominated property against the web browsers browsing session or user profile within the database 160 to record the user's selection of the property.

[97] In the preferred embodiment, the web browser may select up to 5 properties for selection. However, as alluded to above, other selection amounts may be utilised depending on the application.

[98] For example, when first browsing the property pages of the web server 105 the web browser may have no selected properties. As such, by making a first selection for a first property using button 405, the web server 105 will record the selected property for the web browser. Continuing thereafter, the web browser may add further properties until such time that the web browser has 5 property selected. In this manner, the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 may display up to 5 properties for comparison simultaneously for the web browser.

[99] Should the web browser select more than 5 properties, the web server 105 may be configured in accordance with differing embodiments. In a first embodiment, the web server 105 may be configured to disallow the selection of further properties until the web browser deletes at least one other property. In a second embodiment, the web server 105 may be configured to implement a FIFO stack wherein the oldest selected property is "bumped" from the queue to make allowance for the newly selected property. In other embodiments, the web server 105 may be configured to allow the user to select an arbitrary number of properties wherein, utilising the shortlisted property selection page as is shown substantially in figure 6 as will be described in further detail below, the web browser is able to select a subset of the shortlisted properties for comparison.

[100] As such, turning now to figure 5, there is shown the exemplary interface 500 comprising the 5 final selections of the web browser. As is evident, the web browser has selected at least 5 properties for comparison.

[101] As such, the interface 500 comprises the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 showing the various categorised fields of each property selection. In a preferred embodiment shown in figure 5, the interface 155 is laid out in a grid format comprising the property selections as columns and the categorised fields as rows.

[102] As can be seen from the exemplary interface, the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 comprises 5 selected properties. As such, the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 allows the web browser to compare the lounge, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom and floor plan categorised images for the 5 selected properties. In other words, the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155 allows the comparison of the categorised fields as input by the listing provider utilising categorised field inputs 310 as we described above with reference to figure 3.

[103] As alluded to above, the interface 155 may be configured to compare other fields also, such as the address, inspection and auction times and the like. In embodiments not shown in figure 5, the interface 155 may allow the user to compare the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking spaces and other information, such as council rates and the like.

Predetermined number of selections

[104] As alluded to above, the interface 155 is configured to allow the comparison of a predetermined number of selections. In the embodiment shown in figure 5, 5 selections are allowed. However, as alluded to above, in other embodiments, differing numbers of selections may be equally applicable.

[105] For example, the interface 500 may be configured to allow more than 5 selections by allowing further comparison interface 155 grids located to the right of the grid as shown in the interface 500. In this manner, the user may scroll to the right to view the additional grids.

[106] In alternative embodiments, additional grids may be located beneath the grid of the interface 155. In this manner, the web browser may scroll downwards to view the additional selections.

[107] In further embodiments, the interface 155 is configured to dynamically resize so as to an arbitrary number of selections within the space provided, so as to, for example, allow the interface 155 to display between 2 and 10 selections.

[108] As alluded to above, in one embodiment, the web server 105 may be configured to allow the user to make any number of selections. Specifically, referring to figure 6, there is shown an exemplary interface 600 showing the real estate properties selected by the web browser. As can be seen, in the exemplary interface 600 shown, the user has selected 20 properties for review.

[109] As such, the interface 600 shows an overview of the listing selections or the web browser. Specifically, the interface 600 displays the plurality of properties selected displaying an exemplary image, such as the street view image of the property or the like. The address of the property is also shown. As such, the web browser may view the exemplary image and the property address so as to make use of the compare checkbox 610 to make a sub selection for comparison. For example, utilising the interface 600, the web browser would select 5 properties utilising the compare checkbox 610 so as to then be able to view the interface 500 comprising the 5 sub selections for comparison.

[110] In one embodiment, the web server 105 may be configured to display an exemplary image for each of the selections within the interface 600, such as the street view of the property. However, in another embodiment, the interface 600 may be configurable so as to allow the web browser to select one of the categories 115 for display within the interface 600. For example, the web browser may configure the interface 600 to display rather the imagery of the bathrooms of the shortlisted properties.

Preference order ranking

[111] In a preferred embodiment, the web server 110 may be configured so as to allow the web browser to rank the order if the web browser's preference of the listing selections. Specifically, and referring again to figure 5, the interface 500 comprises a preference ranking control form 510 allowing the user to rank the various properties in order by preference. As can be seen, the control 510 preference ranks the properties in order from 1 to 5. [112] Now, adjacent each preference ranking number is a control allowing the user to manipulate the preference order rank of each listing selection. For example, adjacent the first column comprising the preference rank 1 is a preference ranking order control allowing the web browser to swap the first column and the second column such that the second preference ranked listing selection becomes the first preference ranked listing selection and vice versa. In this manner, the user may preference rank the listing selections accordingly.

[113] Such listing selection preference ranking may be advantages especially for the real estate industry wherein the web browser may preference rank various properties such that should the web browser be unsuccessful in purchasing the most preferred property, the web browser may then pursue the second preference ranked property and so on.

[114] It should be noted that the interface 500 may be configured to allow the web browser to reorder the preference rankings of the listing selections and other means, such as by drag-and-drop gesture and the like.

[115] As such, within the database 160, the web server 105 may store preference rankings for each listing selection of the web browser. For example, and referring to the exemplary graphical user interface 500 as substantially shown in figure 5, the web server 105 may assign a preference rank to each of the 5 listing selections. In one manner, moving from left to right, the first listing selection as represented by the first column they be assigned a preference rank of 1, the second listing selection is represented by the second column assigned a preference rank of 2 and so on and so forth.

[116] In this manner, as the user adjusts the preference rankings utilising the preference ranking control 505, the web server 105 may be configured to update the preference rankings within the database 160. For example, the user may swap the first two columns such that in the database 160, the server 105 would assign a preference rank of 1 to the second listing selection previously having a preference rank of 2 and vice versa. In this manner, the web server 105 is configured to persist within the database 160 the web users preference rankings of the listing selections.

[117] It should be noted, that in embodiment, the width of 105 may be configured to assign a preference ranking to all of the shortlisted properties. For example, and referring to figure 6 wherein, as alluded to above, the web browser may select any number of listing selections, the web server 105 may be configured to assign preference rankings to every of the listing selections.

[118] However, in other embodiments, the web server 105 may be configured to provide separate preference rankings for listing sub-selections. For example, referring to figure 5, the web server 105 may be configured to assign preference rankings to the 5 listing selections. In this manner, were the web browser to select a different listing selection sub selection, the web is a 105 may be configured to assign a new preference rankings to the new sub selection. As such, in practice, using the examples of the embodiment shown, the user may select multiple "final five" real estate properties for review and preference rank each final five separately.

[119] It should be noted that differing graphical user interface elements may be utilised by the web browser to altered the preference ranking of the listing selections. In one embodiment, as described above, the user may utilise the preference ranking manipulation control 505 to reorder the columns representing each listing sub selection. For example, using the left-handed and right-handed arrows, the user may cause the columns to swap with adjacent columns.

[120] In another embodiment, the interface 500 may be configured so as to allow the user to utilise drag-and-drop wherein JavaScript or other client side code allows for the rendering of the dragging and dropping of columns wherein, once dropped in place, and Ajax query is sent back to the server 105 representing the new column orders and therefore the listing selection preference rankings.

Final three

[121] In one embodiment, the web server 510, may be configured to allow for the comparison of a sub selection of the listing selections. For example, utilising the above-described preference ranking mechanism, the web browser may preference rank various listing selections in order. For example, of the five property selected by the web browser, the web browser may preference rank the properties in order such that the order represents the first three preferred properties, being the final 3.

[122] In this manner, comparison interface 155 may be configured to display a comparison of the final 3 properties only. In one embodiment, the sub selection comparison may comprise larger imagery and the like so as to allow for further ease of comparison.

[123] For example, having preference ranked the properties in the manner shown in figure 5, should the web browser click on the lounge image of the first property, the interface 155 may be configured to display an overlay, new screen or the like showing the images of the lounges of the first 3 preference ranked properties. In a similar manner, other imagery or comparison fields of interface 155 may be selected so as to view the listing selection subsection comparison.

[124] It should be noted that while in a preferred embodiment, the web server 155 may be configured to allow for the comparison of 3 sub selections, in other embodiments, other numbers of sub selections may be equally applicable.

[125] It should be noted that any of the imagery displayed by the interface 155 may be selected by the web browser to render larger (such as fullscreen) view of the image for further detail inspection by the web browser.

Social preference ranking

[126] In a further preferred embodiment, the web server 155 may be configured to allow social preference ranking of the listing selections. In this manner, having preference ranked the listing selections, the web browser may refer the listing selections to other web browsers, uses or the like for social feedback on the listing selections.

[127] Specifically, referring to the interface 500 as shown in figure 5, the preference ranked order control form 510 comprises social preference ranking functionality.

[128] Specifically, as can be seen, the control 510 comprises a "send to friends" control wherein the web browser may send the listing selections to other users.

[129] For example, by clicking on the "select friends" button is shown in interface 500, a form control may be displayed allowing the web browser to input email addresses of various friends. For example, the web browser may input an email address belonging to Sarah. In this manner, the web server 105 may be configured to send an email to Sarah comprising a link which, when activated, may be configured to display within a browser on Sarah's client computing device 145 the interface 500 as substantially shown in figure 5. In this manner, Sarah may preference rank the properties according to her preference. Upon completion, the web server 105 be configured to display Sarah's preference rankings to the web browser. As can be seen, Sarah prefers the second preference ranked property and so on.

[130] In embodiments, the web server 105 may be configured to allow the web browser to send the listing selections to any number of other users wherein the other user's social preference rankings are similarly displayed. In this manner, the web browser may be configured to ascertain the most favourable listing selection. In embodiments, the web server 105 may be configured to utilise averaging to select the most favourable listing selection amongst all of the users.

[131] In other embodiments, as opposed to utilising email addresses for the purposes of sending the listing selection to other users, other techniques may be employed. For example, the web browser may input social platform credentials such that the web browser 155 may be configured to send the listing selections to other users of the social platform who are connected with the web browser. For example, the web browser may input their Facebook credentials such that the web rather 105 may be configured to send the listing selections to the Facebook friends of the web browser.

[132] In other embodiments, the listing selections may be displayed on a social profile news feed. For example, having input the web browsers Facebook credentials, the web browsers Facebook profile feed may comprise a widget displaying the listing selections allowing other social users to interact with the widget to preference rank the listing selections accordingly.

[133] The web server 105 may be configured to additionally store the social preference rankings within the database 160. As such, and as alluded to above, the database 160 may store the preference rankings of each of the listing selections of the web browser. However, additionally, where the web browser chooses to use social preference ranking, the database 160 may additionally store the preference rankings of the friends of the web browser. In this manner, each listing selections set may comprise a plurality of preference rankings representing the preference rankings of the web browser and an unlimited number of preference rankings of friends of the web browser.

[134] It should be noted that in certain embodiments, such as when used within the real estate industry, upon selection of the final listing selections, the web browser may send the final listing selections for valuation by an accredited buyers agent, licensed valuer or the like so as to receive a written report of the value of the selected real estate listings.

[135] Furthermore, and again when used within the real estate industry, for the purposes of users being able to estimate a valuation for their property, the user may upload their own image data for their property (wherein their property need not necessarily be for sale) and wherein the user may thereafter utilise the categorised list comparison interface to compare their property against sold properties (wherein the sold properties display the sold property price) so as to allow the user to visually compare their property against the sold properties so as to estimate their property valuation.

[136] For example, the interface may comprise a plurality of columns representing previously sold properties and one column representing the user's property comprising the uploaded categorised image data.

[137] In such a manner, by performing a visual comparison with the sold properties, the user may rank their property upwards and/or downwards in relation to the other displayed sold properties until such time that the user is able to visually ascertain that their property fits within the other sold properties so as to thereafter be able to estimate a property valuation. In embodiments, the web server may be configured for dynamically calculating an estimated property valuation in accordance with the relative position of the user's property in relation to the other sold properties and the prices of the other sold properties. As alluded to above, such a technique may be utilised in other applications other than the real estate industry.

[138] In embodiments, and again when used within the real estate industry, the web server may be configured for categorising the real estate listings into separate buy and sold sections so as to allow users to respectively compare properties for sale and properties that have been sold.

[139] In a further embodiment, as opposed to the database 160 storing the listings data, the web server 105 may be configured to allow for the comparison of listings data stored by third-party databases 160.

Preferred embodiment

[140] There will now be provided a preferred embodiment by way of exemplary graphical user interfaces provided in figures 7 - 15. These graphical user interfaces represent a "best mode" for performing the embodiment described herein. However, again, it should be appreciated that the embodiments provided in accordance with this preferred embodiment are exemplary only and that no technical limitations should necessarily be imputed accordingly.

[141] As such, turning to figure 7, there is shown an exemplary graphical user interface 700 representing the index or homepage of a real estate property comparison website. Again, as alluded to above, the embodiments provided herein are not necessarily limited to this particular application and may be utilised in other applications, such as the comparison of online listings of boats, cars, or any other goods or service. Furthermore, within the application within the real and estate industry, the embodiments may equally be used for the purposes of comparing rentals, sales and the like.

[142] The interface 700 comprises a search input field 780 allowing the web browser to input various search queries, especially location-based queries for the purposes of searching for properties. For example, the web browser could input the keyword "Vaucluse" wherein the web server 100 would search the database 160 for matching locations. In embodiment, the interface 700 may utilise intellisense so as to suggest various locations. In this example, the interface 700 may suggest Vaucluse in New South Wales which, if being the web browsers intent, may be selected by the web browser. In embodiment, the user may select in multiple locations building up a "tag list" of locations for subsequent searching by the web server 105 for matching properties.

[143] In further embodiment, the web browser may specify a little properties, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, price and the like.

[144] Beneath the search input field 780 may be an exemplary categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface 155. For first-time web browsers, the field comparison interface may be exemplary, comprising a random or predetermined selection of properties for comparison. For returning web browsers, the field comparison interface 155 may represent previous comparisons of the web browser. In yet further embodiment, the field comparison interface 155 may automatically update in accordance with available properties available within the locations identified by the web browser utilising the search input field 780.

[145] As can be seen, the interface 155 comprises a plurality of columns 705 representing each listing selection, being for individual properties in this case.

[146] Furthermore, the interface 155 may comprise a plurality of rows corresponding to each categorised field.

[147] Specifically, the interface 155 comprises rows comprising:

a. Row 710 representing the identity of the property, being the street address, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, number of car spaces and a representative real estate agent icon;

b. Row 715 comprising an image of the lounge of the property; c. Row 715 comprising an image of the dining room of the property;

d. Row 715 comprising an image of the kitchen of the property;

e. Row 715 comprising an image of the bathroom of the property;

f. Row 715 comprising an image of the bedroom of the property;

g. Row 715 comprising an image of the floor plan of the property;

h. Row 715 comprising an image of the front view of the property;

i. Row 715 comprising an image of the outdoor view of the property;

j. Row 715 comprising an image of the suggested lender of the property; k. Row 715 comprising an image of the views from of the property;

I. Row 715 comprising an image of a map location of the property; and

m. Row 715 comprising a contact information for the representative agent, including a field allowing the web browser to email the agent.

[148] Now, the web browser submits the search input field 780 wherein the exemplary graphical user interface 800 as is substantially shown in figure 8 is displayed. Specifically, the interface 800 comprises a plurality of matching properties 815 being properties within or surrounding Vaucluse.

[149] The property listing is shown in further detail in figure 9.

[150] Specifically, each property listing 815 may comprise an image 910 of the property. Carousel controls 925 may be provided overlaid the imagery so as to allow the display of other images of the property without necessarily having to click through to the detailed property page. Other information is also provided, such as the street location of the property, and brief description, agent contact information, number of beds, bathrooms, car spaces and the like.

[151] Importantly, the property listing 805 comprises a "select for final five" listing selection control 920. The control 920 is utilised by the web browser to make a listing selection of the particular property shown. For example, should the web browser like the property and wish to select the property for further comparison purposes, the web browser would toggle the listing selection control 920.

[152] In the embodiment provided, the web browser may select up to 5 properties for selection. However, as alluded to above, in other embodiments, the web browser may select any number of properties for subsequent comparison.

[153] As such, having selected at least 5 properties for comparison, the web browser may browse to the interface 1000 as substantially provided in figure 10.

[154] As can be seen, the interface 1000 comprises the comparison interface 155. The interface 155 comprises a plurality of columns 705 numbered consecutively a-e for illustrative purposes, especially when describing the reordering of the columns in further detail below. [155] Each column comprises a delete button 1030 configured to allow the user to remove certain listing selections, so as to reduce the final 5 to a final 4 to a final 3 and so on. Specifically, referring to figure 13, there is shown the exemplary interface 1300 wherein the 5 listing selection has been whittled down to a final 3. As can be seen, the width of the columns has been adjusted so as to accommodate the screen width.

[156] In embodiment, the web browser may even whittle the listing selections down to a final 1 wherein the final listing selection may be displayed magnified so as to allow the user to adequately view all of the image categories and other information. In embodiment, as opposed to displaying the final listing selection in a column format is shown in the interface, the web server 105 may rather display a property details page.

[157] It should be noted that each row, or field of the interface 155 comprises drill down functionality, wherein, for example, clicking on an image, such as the lounge image represented in the second row of the second column will display further detail of the field such as by way of the exemplary interface 1100 as substantially shown in figure 11 comprising a larger image of the image 1005 of the lounge.

[158] Now, the interface 1000 comprises a preference rank button 1005 which may be used by the web browser to preference rank the properties. Specifically, having clicked the preference rank button 1005, the interface may change to the interface 1200 as substantially shown in figure 12. As is apparent from the interface 1200, the interface 1200 differs slightly from the interface 1000 of figure 10 in that each column, as opposed to comprising the delete button 1030, rather comprises a grip 1205 configured to allow the user to reorder the columns so as to redefine the preference rankings of the properties.

[159] The reordering of the columns may be animated by way of client side script, such as JavaScript. Specifically, by clicking the grip 1205, the column would appear to float above the other columns wherein, as it is dragged from left to right, the other columns shuffle to accommodate to make space for the dropping of the selected column. Once the column has been dropped, the web browser 105 send an Ajax query back to the server 105 representing the new preference ranking so as to allow the server 105 to store the new preference rank order in the database 160 for subsequent retrieval by the web browser, friends and the like.

[160] As can be seen from the interface, the second column 705b now occupies the first position and vice versa, the formerly first column 705a now occupies the second column.

[161] Referring again to figure 10, in embodiments, the interface 1000 comprises further functionality for controlling the comparison. Specifically, the interface 1000 comprises a "clear comparison" button 1015 allowing the web browser to clear the listing selections. [162] Furthermore, the interface 1000 comprises a "save comparison" button 1020 allowing the web browser to save the comparison for later reference. Specifically, referring now to figure 15, there is shown an interface 1500 showing a comparison history. As can be seen, the comparison history comprises an earlier comparison history 1505. Selecting the history 1505 will bring up the interface 1000 for display.

[163] Now, as alluded to above, in embodiments, the web browser may send the listing selections to other social users for the purposes of having the other social users preference rank the listing selections, make comments and the like. In this manner, when undecided, or when wishing for input from friends, colleagues and the like, the web browser may send the listing selections to other persons. Specifically, referring to figure 11, as can be seen, the interface 1000 comprises an "email a friend" button 1010. Selecting this button 1010 will cause the browser application 150 to display the interface 1500 as substantially shown in figure 15.

[164] Specifically, the interface 1500 comprises a form 1405 into which the web browser may input contact information of other uses. As can be seen, the form 1405 accepts the first name, last name, email address and comments from the web browser. Upon receipt of such information, the web server 105 is configured to send an email to the nominated other user comprising the comment and a customised URL uniquely representing the comparison.

[165] Browsing to the URL, the other user is similarly able to view the comparison interface 155 within the interface 1000 as substantially shown in figure 11. Specifically, the other user is able to similarly reorder the columns in the manner described so as to create a social preference ranking of the listing selections. As alluded to above, the web server 105 may be configured to store a separate preference ranking within the database 160 the other user , such as is uniquely identified by the email address of the friend. In this manner, multiple preference rankings from multiple friends may be recorded within the database 160.

[166] Upon completion, the other user is able to complete the preference ranking process wherein the web server 105 is configured to send a notification email back to the web browser to inform the web browser that the other user has similarly preference ranked the listing selections.

[167] As such, in embodiments, the interface 1000 as substantially shown in figure 11 may show the preference rankings of the other user to highlight the differences between the preference ranking of the web user and the preference ranking of the friend.

[168] It should be noted, that while email is described above for the purposes of referring the listing selections to friends, in other embodiments, other manners may be used in which to refer the listing selections to other social users, such as by leveraging from a social media platform by entering authentication credentials into the social platform, retrieving a list of eligible social users, receiving a selection of selected social users and wherein the web server 105 then sends the listing selections to those selected social users for preference ranking.

Interpretation

Processes:

[169] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "analysing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities.

Processor:

[170] In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing device" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors.

[171] The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM.

Computer-Readable Medium :

[172] Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product. A computer program product can be stored on a computer usable carrier medium, the computer program product comprising a computer readable program means for causing a processor to perform a method as described herein.

Networked or Multiple Processors:

[173] In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

[174] Note that while some diagram(s) only show(s) a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

Additional Embodiments:

[175] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer- readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause a processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium.

Carrier Medium :

[176] The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.

Implementation :

[177] It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system.

Means For Carrying out a Method or Function

[178] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a processor device, computer system, or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

Connected

[179] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term connected, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Embodiments:

[180] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[181] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[182] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[183] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in preference ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[184] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[185] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

[186] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [187] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[188] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[189] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A web server for serving a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface, the web server comprising:

a database for storing:

listing template data representing at least one listing template, the at least one listing template comprising a plurality of image categories; and

listing data representing respective listings provided by at least two listing providers, the listings data comprising at least respective categorised listing image data for the plurality of image categories wherein, in use, the web server is configured to:

serve, to the at least two listing provider client computing devices, a listing template webpage generated in accordance with the listing template data, the listing template webpage configured to receive the categorised listing image data for the plurality of image categories representing a plurality of listing images;

receive, from each of the at least two listing provider client computing devices, the listing data representing the respective listings provided by the at least two listing providers, the listing data comprising the respective category image data for the plurality of image categories;

serve, to a web browser client computing device, listing data representing the respective listings provided by the at least two listing providers;

receive, from the web browser client computing device, respective listing selections of the respective listings provided by the at least two listing providers; and

generate a categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface in accordance with the respective listing selections; and

serve, to the web browser client computing device, a listing comparison web page comprising the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface, wherein:

the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface:

comprises a grid comprising rows or columns for each of the plurality of image categories, the rows or columns each configured to display the respective category image data for the plurality of image categories of the respective listings provided by the at least two listing providers side by side for visual comparison; and

is configured to allow the interaction by the web browser for ranking a preference order of the respective listing selections.

2. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the database is further adapted for storing preference rank order data representing a preference rank order and wherein, in use, the web server is further configured to:

receive, from the web browser client computing device preference rank order update data generated by the web browser client computing device in response to the interaction by the web browser; and

update, in the database, the preference rank order data in accordance with the preference rank order update data.

3. A web server as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in use, the web server is further configured to: receive, from the web browser client computing device, other user contact information for communicating with at least one other user; and

send, to another user client computing device, another user web page comprising another user categorised visual comparison listing selection preference rank ordering interface wherein the other user categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface is configured to allow the interaction by the other user to rank the respective listing selections in another preference rank order.

4. A web server as claimed in claim 3, wherein, the database is further adapted for storing other user preference rank order data representing another user preference rank order and wherein, in use, the web server is further configured to:

receive, from the other user browser client computing device the another preference rank order; and

update, in the database, the other user preference rank order data in accordance with the preference rank order update data.

5. A web server as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in use, the web server is further configured to: serve, to the web browser client computing device, a web page comprising the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface, wherein the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface is configured to display a preference rank of the web browser and the other user.

6. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface is configured to display a predetermined number of listing selections.

7. A web server as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predetermined number is 5.

8. A web server as claimed in claim 6, wherein the web server is configured to receive up to the predetermined number of listing selections.

9. A web server as claimed in claim 8, wherein the web server is configured to implement a FIFO stack of listing selections.

10. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web server is configured to:

receive any number of listing selections,

receive, from the web browser client computing device, listing selections subselections from the any number of listing selections; and

generate the categorised field comparison interface in accordance with the listing selections subselections.

11. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web server is configured to serve, to the web browser client computing device, a selected listing web page comprising the any number of listing selections and wherein each of the any number of listing selections comprises an associated selection form control for configuring the listing selections subselections.

12. A web server as claimed in claim 3, wherein the other user contact information comprises at least one email address.

13. A web server as claimed in claim 3, wherein the web server is further configured for retrieving a plurality of social media contacts from a social media platform and receiving the other user contact information by way of a selection from the plurality of social media contacts.

14. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the columns represent the listing selections.

15. A web server as claimed in claim 14, wherein the rows represent the plurality of image categories.

16. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the rows or columns comprises an associated form control configured for reducing the number of listing selections displayed by the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface.

17. A web server as claimed in claim 16, wherein, when the number of listing selections displayed is less than a predetermined number, the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface is configured to display further detailed information in relation to each of the number of listing selections displayed.

18. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the respective category image data displayed by the categorised listing image comparison and list selection preference rank ordering interface comprises a drill-down selection form control configured to display a drill-down interface of the respective category image.

19. A web server as claimed in claim 18, wherein the drill-down interface comprises a magnified image data of the respective category image data.

20. A web server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interaction for ranking a preference order of the respective listing selections comprises client-side interaction.

21. A web server as claimed in claim 20, wherein the listing comparison web page comprises client side code configured for implementing the client-side interaction.

22. A web server as claimed in claim 21, wherein the client-side interaction comprises drag-and- drop gesture re-ordering of the rows or columns.