METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO REFINE SEARCH INFORMATION

• US 20140358733A1
• Filed: 12/23/2013
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Original Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Inventors: Achuthan, Ashita, Chard, Jonathan David, Higgins, Krystal Rose, MacLaurin, Matthew Bret, Nugent, Tyler Yong, Roberts, Bradley, Van Tol, Ladd, Barber, Paden, Foss, Patrick, Gabaix-Hial, Jean-Charles, MacDonald, Margaret, Eppolito, Mark, Merce, Mica, Reeves, Ryan, Tenniswood, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,672,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9032 Query formulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails

Abstract

Methods and systems to refine search results were described. The system communicates a first user interface to a mobile device that includes search results that include data items. The system receives a first request from the mobile device that includes an indication of at least one swiping motion that is applied across a touch-sensitive screen on the mobile device. The mobile device is associated with a previously selected refinement and corresponding value. The system filters the search results. The refined search results include a second plurality of data items based on the previously selected refinement and the corresponding value. The system generates a second user interface that includes the refined search results. The system communicates the second user interface, over the network, to the mobile device. The second user interface includes the refined search results that include the second plurality of data items to display on the mobile device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processing module that is configured to communicate a first user interface, over a network, to a mobile device, the first user interface including search results, the search results including a first plurality of data items to display on the mobile device; and

a receiving module that is configured to receive a first request from the mobile device, the first request including an indication of at least one swiping motion that is applied across a touch-sensitive screen on the mobile device, the mobile device being associated with a previously selected refinement and corresponding value, the processing module to filter the search results responsive to the receipt of the indication of at least one swiping motion to generate refined search results, the refined search results including a second plurality of data items based on the previously selected refinement and the corresponding value, the processing module to generate a second user interface that includes the refined search results, the refined search results including a second plurality of data items that are included in the first plurality of data items, the processing module to communicate the second user interface, over the network, to the mobile device, the second user interface including the refined search results that include the second plurality of data items to display on the mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one swiping motion is a single swiping motion that is applied across the touch-sensitive screen on the mobile device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one swiping motion is a double swiping motion that is applied across the touch-sensitive screen on the mobile device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first user interface includes a search panel that includes the first plurality of data items, wherein the search panel further includes a search box to receive constraints that are used to identify the first plurality of data items.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second user interface includes a search panel that include the second plurality of data items, and wherein the search panel further includes a search box to receive constraints.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second user interface further includes a parent panel to receive a selection that identifies a first refinement, wherein the second user interface further includes a child panel to receive a selection that identifies a first value that corresponds to the first refinement.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the parent panel includes a plurality of refinements that include the first refinement, wherein the first refinement is a condition of an item being offered for sale on a network-based marketplace.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the child panel includes a plurality of values that correspond to the first refinement, wherein the plurality of values respectively describe different conditions.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving module is further configured to receive a previous request from the mobile device, the previous request being received before the first request, the previous request including a request to search for the first plurality of data items based on at least one constraint, the processing module being further configured to identify the first plurality of data items in a database based on the at least one constraint, the processing module being further configured to generate the first user interface including the first plurality of data items.

10. A method comprising:

communicating a first user interface, over a network, to a mobile device, the first user interface including search results, the search results including a first plurality of data items to display on the mobile device;

receiving a first request from the mobile device, the first request including an indication of at least one swiping motion being applied across a touch-sensitive screen on the mobile device, the mobile device being associated with a previously selected refinement and corresponding value;

filtering the search results responsive to receiving the indication of at least one ,swiping motion to generate refined search results, the refined search results including a second plurality of data items based on the previously selected refinement and the corresponding value;

generating a second user interface including the refined search results, the refined search results including a second plurality of data items that are included in the first plurality of data items; and

communicating the second user interface, over the network, to the mobile device, the second user interface including the refined search results including the second plurality of data items to display on the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one swiping motion is a single swiping motion being applied across the touch-sensitive screen on the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one ,swiping motion is a double swiping motion being applied across the touch-sensitive screen on the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first user interface includes a search panel that includes the first plurality of data items, wherein the search panel further includes a search box for receiving constraints that are used to identify the first plurality of data items.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the second user interface includes a search panel that include the second plurality of data items, and wherein the search panel further includes a search box for receiving constraints.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second user interface further includes a parent panel for receiving a selection that identifies a first refinement, wherein the second user interface further includes a child panel for receiving a selection that identifies a first value that corresponds to the first refinement.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the parent panel includes a plurality of refinements that include the first refinement, wherein the first refinement is a condition of an item being offered for sale on a network-based marketplace.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of refinements include a second refinement, wherein the second refinement is a category of an item being offered for sale on a network-based marketplace.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the child panel includes a plurality of values that correspond to the first refinement, wherein the plurality of values respectively describe different conditions.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a previous request from the mobile device, the previous request being received before the first request, the previous request including a request to search for the first plurality of data items based on at least one constraint;

generating search results, the generating search results including identifying the first plurality of data items in a database based on the at least one constraint; and

generating the first user interface including the first plurality of data items.

20. A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

communicating a first user interface, over a network, to a mobile device, the first user interface including search results, the search results including a first plurality of data items to display on the mobile device;

receiving a first request from the mobile device, the first request including an indication of at least one swiping motion that is being applied across a touch-sensitive screen on the mobile device, the mobile device being associated with a previously selected refinement and corresponding value;

filtering the search results responsive to receiving the indication of the at least one swiping motion to generate refined search results, the refined search results including a second plurality of data items based on the previously selected refinement and the corresponding value;

generating a second user interface, the second user interfaces including the refined search results, the refined search results including a second plurality of data items that are included in the first plurality of data items; and

communicating the second user interface, over the network to the mobile device, the second user interface including the refined search results including the second plurality of data items to display on the mobile device.