Recursive method and system for accessing classification information

• US 20010044757A1
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Published: 11/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anne E. Robb
• Original Assignee: Anne E. Robb
• Inventors: Fortna, Larry, Robb, Anne E., Biritz, Ronald A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,389,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/12 by screwing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/507 of means for protecting lighting devices from damage, e.g. housings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/773 the planes containing the fins or blades having the direction of the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A web based menu system that allows the users such as buyers and sellers to locate, purchase, and sell goods, items and services easily without any search queries. The knowledge base of the system increases with user interaction at variable levels. The database contains an orderly classification of goods and services throughout. Point-and-click technology can be used to navigate through a series of menus. The system can also respond to voice activation and recognition commands. At the web site, the user first selects a category followed by a selection of makes, items, or services called a Sub-Category that relate to the category. The system responds by displaying a uniform series of menus referred to as a “Fluidity of Taxonomy”. This process repeats until the user reaches the finite end of the menu series. Next, the system completes the interaction based upon if the user is a buyer or a seller. For buyers, the database is accessed resulting in a list of ads based upon the user'"'"'s accumulated menu selections. The user can filter and sort the presentation of ads based on various criteria and place requests for instant notification of subsequent new ad placements. Banner ads that are applicable to the buyers'"'"' area of interest are also presented by the system. For sellers, an input form for ad placement is presented based upon the user'"'"'s accumulated menu selections. Sellers can also grow the database based on their menu selections and form input. The system can be used for retreiving any orderly classification of information.

Claims

1. A method of accessing classification information on a web based system until a finite selection point is achieved, comprising the steps of:

accessing a web site having a first main menu page of category headings by a user;

first selecting at least one of the category headings on the first main menu page;

accessing a second menu page having first subcategory headings from the first selecting step;

second selecting at least one of the first subcategory headings;

accessing a third menu page having second subcategory headings from the second selecting step;

third selecting at least one of the second subcategory headings; and

repeating accessing and selecting until the user reaches an end of a menu series to a finite selection of a classification, wherein interaction of the accessing of the first page, the second page, the third page, and the first selecting, the second selecting and the third selecting are navigated without inputing any search query.

2. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the steps of the accessing of the first page, the second page, the third page, and the first selecting, the second selecting and the third selecting include:

a user navigating each accessing and selecting step by point and click.

3. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the steps of the accessing of the first page, the second page, the third page, and the first selecting, the second selecting and the third selecting include:

a user navigating each accessing and selecting step by voice command.

4. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the steps of the accessing of the first page, the second page, the third page, and the first selecting, the second selecting and the third selecting include:

a user navigating each accessing and selecting step by a combination of;

point and click, and voice command.

5. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the classification information includes:

advertisements by sellers, each of the sellers listing at least one of;

goods and services.

6. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the category headings include:

headings for;

agriculture, aircraft, antiques, automobiles, boats, heavy equipment, heavy trucks, industrial, medical, pickup trucks, recreational vehicles, and sport utility vehicles and vans.

7. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the first subcategory headings include:

headings for;

makes, items, and services.

8. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, further comprising the step of:

viewing the finite selection of the classification by scrolling through a list.

9. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, further comprising the step of:

filtering and sorting the finite selection of the classification into a list; and

viewing the list.

10. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the user is a:

a buyer of at least one of;

a good, and a service.

11. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the user is a:

a seller of at least one of;

a good, and a service.

12. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the user is at least one of:

a buyer and seller, each user having an interest in at least one of;

a good, a make, an item, and a service.

13. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 12

, wherein the classification information includes:

advertisements by sellers, each of the sellers listing at least one of;

goods, makes, items and services.

14. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 13

, further comprising the step of:

a buyer-user listing an unlisted ad, the ad being for at least one of;

a good, a make, an item and a service.

15. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 14

, further comprising the step of:

notifying the buyer-user user when a placed advertisement matches the unlisted item.

16. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 15

, wherein the notificating step further includes:

at least one of;

paging the buyer-user, and e-mailing the buyer-user.

17. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 12

, wherein the system includes:

a catalog ordering system.

18. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 12

, wherein the system includes:

a catalog order notification system.

19. The method of accessing classification information of

claim 1

, wherein the subcategory can include:

types.

20. A method of accessing classification information on a web based system until a finite selection point is achieved, comprising the steps of:

accessing a web site having a first main menu page of category headings by a user;

first selecting at least one of the category headings on the first main menu page;

accessing a second menu page having first subcategory headings from the first selecting step;

second selecting at least one of the first subcategory headings;

accessing a third menu page having type headings from the second selecting step;

third selecting at least one of the type headings;

accessing a fourth menu page having subtype headings; and

repeating accessing and selecting until the user reaches an end of a menu series to a finite selection of a classification, wherein a finite selection point of information is navigated to without inputing any search query.