SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LISTING ITEMS ONLINE

• US 20110161182A1
• Filed: 12/01/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KY FP Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Just Parts Online Incorporated
• Inventors: Racco, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,463,658 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.73
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent

Abstract

A system and method are provided for listing an item online. The system provides a user interface comprising a first pane for entering information pertaining to the item and a second pane for viewing said information while it is being entered. The user is provided, in the second pane, an upload tool for uploading one or more photos of the item to assist in describing the item during the listing process. Upon entering one or more characters in a field in the first pane for identifying the item, the system searches a database of items being either parts or components and displays possible choices for said item such that the user can simply type in what their item is and the system provides possible category choices to facilitate and speed up the listing process.

Claims

1. A method for listing a multi-item online, said multi-item comprising a plurality of constituent items, said method comprising:

providing a first user interface for entering information identifying said multi-item;

providing a second user interface for selecting said plurality of constituent items from respective lists for one or more categories displayed in said second user interface;

associating said constituent items with said multi-item and storing an indication of said association in a database; and

enabling a request for one or more of said constituent items to be received from a third user interface to enable said constituent items to be sold independent of said multi-item as a whole.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising

enabling said multi-item to be sold in its entirety;

and

enabling said request to include an option to request said multi-item in its entirety.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said information identifying said multi-item comprises features and options for said multi-item.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising enabling a dialogue box to be loaded for at least one of said constituent items to facilitate recognition of the corresponding constituent item.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said dialogue box comprises a multimedia object pertaining to said constituent item and a description of said constituent item.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising providing a pane in said first user interface for entering additional or optional information pertaining to said multi-item.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising upon detecting selection of said information, associating said information with said multi-item and storing an entry for said multi-item in a database comprising listed multi-items.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein said multimedia objects comprise pictures, video or audio or any combination of such objects.

9. The method according to claims 1 wherein detecting entry of one or more characters in a field in said first user interface comprises identifying said multi-item, searching a database of multi-item identifiers and displaying organized lists of possible choices for said multi-item information in said first user interface to enable selection of said information;

wherein said database of multi-item identifiers comprises a tiered structure comprising a main category in a first tier and at least one additional tier further describing said main category, said organized lists utilizing said tiered structure.

10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising enabling an auto-complete function to be applied upon detecting entry of said information to filter said lists.

11. The method according to claims 9 further comprising enabling a plurality of features to be selected for said multi-item by displaying said lists upon entry of one or more identifiers for each feature.

12. The method according to claim 1 further comprising providing in said first user interface, an upload tool for enabling one or more multimedia objects related to said multi-item to be uploaded to facilitate said entering information pertaining to said multi-item.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said upload tool is provided upon initiating said first user interface to enable said multimedia objects to be uploaded and displayed in said user interface to assist during entry of said information.

14. The method according to claim 1 further comprising integrating advertising content with said item and storing said advertising content with said item.

15. The method according to claim 1 further comprising enabling selection of a feature for automatically listing said constituent items;

and upon, detecting selection of said feature, generating an individual listing for each of said constituent item and storing said individual listings to enable searching of said individual listings independent of said multi-item.

16. The method according to claim 1 further comprising enabling selling preferences to be pre-set.

17. The method according to claim 1 further comprising enabling said multimedia objects to be edited to indicate attributes of said item.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said item is an automotive item and said attributes relate to damage to said item.

19. The method according to claim 1 further comprising obtaining fitment data associating said multi-item with one or more other multi-items having compatibility with said multi-item.

20. The method according to claim 1 further comprising providing a reply to said request by determining if requested constituent items are available for the multi-item.

21. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions for listing a multi-item online, said multi-item comprising a plurality of constituent items, said computer executable instructions comprising instructions for:

providing a first user interface for entering information identifying said multi-item;

providing a second user interface for selecting said plurality of constituent items from respective lists for one or more categories displayed in said second user interface;

associating said constituent items with said multi-item and storing an indication of said association in a database; and

enabling a request for one or more of said constituent items to be received from a third user interface to enable said constituent items to be sold independent of said multi-item as a whole.

22. A method for listing items online, said method comprising:

providing an intermediary comprising communication interfaces for sellers posting said items, for buyers viewing said items, and for suppliers providing said items through said sellers;

enabling a catalogue of items from one or more suppliers to be provided to said intermediary;

associating said catalogue with at least one of said sellers;

maintaining an inventory list for said catalogue of items;

enabling said buyers to view said catalogue and communicate with said sellers to purchase one or more selected items; and

enabling a corresponding seller to communicate with a corresponding supplier for completing said purchase.

23. A method for listing an item online, said method comprising:

providing a user interface comprising a first pane for entering information pertaining to said item;

providing in said user interface, an upload tool for enabling one or more multimedia objects related to said item to be uploaded to facilitate said entering information pertaining to said item; and

upon entering one or more characters in a field in said first pane identifying said item, searching a database of item identifiers being either parts or components and displaying organized lists of possible choices for said item in said first pane to enable selection of said information.

24. A method for listing an item online, said method comprising:

providing a first user interface for entering information pertaining to said item, said item being associated with a first product comprising a plurality of items;

in said first user interface, enabling said item to be associated with one or more other products with which said item is compatible;

associating said one or more other products with said item; and

storing said association to enable additional ones of said item to be listed identifying said association for facilitating a search for said item.