Command center and interface for web based business merchandising and service

• US 7,627,829 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2004
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Roberts, Timothy, Rupp, Jason R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PESIN, BORIS M
• Application Number:
  US10/800,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20050076132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,091 Days
• Field of Search: 715/962, 715/781, 715/762, 715/763, 715/764, 715/789
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A user interface allows centralized creation and management control for a business having one or more web site storefronts engaged in commerce through the Internet. The interface is for use within a web browser and includes a first display area and a second display area. The first display area is for presenting access to two or more control panels to create, manage (or maintain) and operate a web site for the small business engaged in commerce of at least one of goods or services. The second display area is visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the first display area, and provides information associated with the commerce involving the web site.

Claims

1. A method for building a user interface for simultaneously managing a plurality of web-based storefronts over a network, the method comprising:

adding a module to a user interface for managing a plurality of web-based storefronts, the module providing access to a plurality of control panels, each control panel providing an interface to create or manage one of the web-based storefronts, wherein at least one control panel displays an identifier of each web-based storefront which is active;

adding an area to the user interface, the area visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module, the area providing a plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel;

adding a control panel of the plurality of control panels to the user interface, the control panel visually distinct from and concurrently displayed with the module and the area, and the control panel providing a plurality of advertising services for use in promotion each web-based storefront, the plurality of advertising services comprising at least one of a product advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool; and

providing the user interface to a user over a network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the product advertisement tool comprises an advertising service for advertising on a cost-per-click basis.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding a plurality of modules to the user interface, each module providing access to at least one control panel of the plurality of control panels.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a module of the plurality of modules provides access to a store management related control panel, wherein the store management related control panel displays at least one of a shipping status data or an inventory data.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein a module of the plurality of modules provides access to a web hosting related control panel, wherein the web hosting related control panel provides access to a domain registration system.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein a module of the plurality of modules provides access to a mail service, wherein the mail service provides at least one of a tool to create an email address or a tool to create a mailbox.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the area provides the plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel in substantially real time.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of statistical data items displayed in substantially real time comprises at least one of a page view data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, a sales data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, a click-through rate data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel. a click trail data for each web based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, or a conversion rate data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the statistical data items is displayed in a graphical form in the area.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of the statistical data items is displayed in a streaming text form in the area.

11. A computer readable medium having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a programmed processor for managing a business operated through a plurality of web-based storefronts over a network, the computer readable medium comprising instructions operative to:

presenting a module to a user over a network, the module providing access to a plurality of control panels, each control panel providing an interface to create or manage one of the web-based storefronts for an online business, wherein at least one control panel displays an identifier of each web-based storefront which is active;

presenting an area to the user over the network, the area visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module and the area providing a plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel; and

presenting a control panel of the plurality of control panels to the user over the network, the control panel visually distinct from and concurrently displayed with the module and the area, and the control panel presenting a plurality of advertising services for use in promoting each web-based storefront, the plurality of advertising services comprising at least one of a product advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the product advertisement tool comprises an advertising service for advertising on a cost-per-click basis.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 11, further comprising instructions operative to:

presenting a plurality of modules to the user over the network, each module including access to at least one of the control panels of the plurality of control panels.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein a module of the plurality of modules comprises one selected from the group consisting of a store management module, a web hosting module, or a mail service module, wherein the store management module displays at least one of a shipping status data or an inventory data, the web hosting module provides access to a domain registration system, and the mail service module provides at least one of a tool to create an email address or a tool to create a mailbox.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the area provides the plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel in substantially real time.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the plurality of statistical data items provided in substantially real time comprises at least one of a page view data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, a sales data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, a click-through rate data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, a click trail data for each web based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, or a conversion rate data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the area displays the plurality of data items in a form comprising at least one a graphical form or a streaming text form.

18. A system for building a control mechanism for aggregately managing a business operated through a plurality of web-based storefronts over a network, the system comprising:

processor means for adding a module to a control mechanism for a business operated through a plurality of web-based storefronts, the module providing access to a plurality of control panels, each control panel providing an interface to create or manage the plurality of web-based storefronts, wherein at least one control panel displays an identifier of each web-based storefront which is active;

processor means for adding an area to the control mechanism, the area visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module, and the area to provide a plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel;

processor means for adding a control panel of the plurality of control panels to the control mechanism, the control panel visually distinct from and concurrently displayed with the module and the area, and the control panel to present a plurality of advertising services for use in promoting each web-based storefront, the plurality of advertising services comprising at least one of a product advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool; and

processor means for providing the control mechanism to a user over a network.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the product advertisement tool comprises an advertising service for advertising on a cost-per-click basis.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor means for adding the module to the control mechanism further comprises processor means for adding a plurality of modules to the control mechanism, each module including access to at least one control panel of the plurality of control panels.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein a module of the plurality of modules comprises at least one of a store management module, a web hosting module, or a mail service module, wherein the store management module displays at least one of a shipping status data or an inventory data, the web hosting module provides access to a domain registration system, and the mail service module provides at least one of a tool to create an email address or a tool to create a mailbox.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the area provides the plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel in substantially real time.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of statistical data items presented in substantially real time comprises at least one of a page view data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, a sales data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, a click-through rate data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, a click trail data for each web based storefront identified in the at least one control panel, or a conversion rate data for each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the area presents the plurality of statistical data items in a form comprising at least one of a graphical form or a streaming text form.

25. A method for building a user interface for managing, in aggregate, a plurality of web-based storefronts over a network, the method comprising:

adding a module to a user interface, the module providing access to a plurality of control panels, each control panel providing an interface to create or manage one of the web-based storefronts, wherein at least one control panel displays an identifier of each web-based storefront which is active,

adding an area to the user interface, the area visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module, and the area providing a plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel;

adding a first control panel of the plurality of control panels to the user interface, the first control panel configured to allow manipulation of a business function of at least one of the plurality of web-based storefronts;

adding a second control panel of the plurality of control panels to the user interface, the second control panel visually distinct from and concurrently displayed with the module and the area, and the second control panel configured to provide a plurality of advertising services for use in promoting each web-based storefront, the plurality of advertising services comprising at least one of a product advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool; and

providing the user interface to a user over a network.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the product advertisement tool comprises an advertising service for advertising on a cost-per-click basis.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the area presents the plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront in a form comprising of at least one of a graphical form, a streaming text form, a pictorial form, or a tabular form.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the first control panel provides access to the business function comprising of at least one of a store management function, a web hosting function, or a mail service function, wherein the store management function displays at least one of a shipping status data or an inventory data, the web hosting function provides access to a domain registration system, and the mail service function provides at least one of a tool to create an email address or a tool to create a mailbox.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first control panel further comprises an input selection mechanism configured to communicatively couple with a back end relating to the business function associated with the first control panel.

30. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

a user interface application for encoding a user interface for use within a web browser for managing a business operated through a plurality of web-based storefronts over a network, the user interface application comprising;

instructions for encoding a module, wherein the module provides access to a plurality of control panels, each control panel providing an interface to create or manage the plurality of web-based storefronts, wherein at least one control panel displays an identifier of each web-based storefront which is active;

instructions for encoding a first area, visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module, the first area for providing a plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel; and

instructions for encoding a second area, visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module and the first area, the second area for providing a plurality of advertising services for use in promoting each web-based storefront, the plurality of advertising services comprising at least one of a product advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool.

31. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein the module and the first area are displayed on a display of a remote computer.

32. The computer program product of claim 31 wherein the remote computer is associated with the business and runs the web browser.

33. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

a user interface application for encoding a user interface for use within a web browser for managing a business operated through a plurality of web-based storefronts over a network, the user interface application comprising;

instructions for encoding a module that provides access to a plurality of control panels, each control panel providing an interface to create or manage the plurality of web-based storefronts, wherein at least one control panel displays an identifier of each web-based storefront which is active;

instructions for encoding an area, visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module, the area providing a plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel; and

instructions for encoding a control panel of the plurality of control panels, the control panel visually distinct from and concurrently displayed with the module and the area, and the control panel configured to provide a plurality of advertising services for use in promoting each web-based storefront, the plurality of advertising services comprising at least one of a product advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool.

34. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the module, the area, and the control panel are displayed on a display of a remote computer.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the remote computer is associated with the business and runs the web browser.

36. A first computer for providing a user interface for use within a web browser for managing a plurality of web-based storefronts over a network, the first computer comprising:

a central processing unit;

a memory, coupled to the central processing unit, the memory storing a software application, the software application comprising;

instructions for constructing a module, the module for presenting access to a plurality of control panels, each control panel providing an interface to create or manage one of the web-based storefronts, wherein at least one control panel displays an identifier of each web-based storefront which is active; and

instructions for constructing an area, visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module, the area for providing a plurality of statistical data items associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel; and

instructions for constructing a control panel of the plurality of control panels, visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module and the area, the control panel for providing a plurality of advertising services for use in promoting each web-based storefront, the plurality of advertising services comprising at least one of a product advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool.

37. The first computer of claim 36, wherein the module and the area are displayed on a display on a second computer that is accessible to the first computer over the Internet.

38. The first computer of claim 37, wherein the second computer is associated with a business and wherein said second computer runs a web browser in which the module and the area are displayed.

39. A first computer for providing a user interface for use within a web browser for managing a business operated through a plurality of web-based storefronts over a network, the first computer comprising:

a central processing unit;

a memory, coupled to the central processing unit, the memory storing;

instructions for encoding a module of the user interface, the module providing access to a plurality of control panels, each control panel providing an interface to create or manage a plurality of web-based storefronts for an online business, wherein at least one control panel displays an identifier of each web-based storefront which is active; and

instructions for encoding an area of the user interface, visually distinguished from and concurrently displayed with the module, the area providing an information associated with commerce of each web-based storefront identified in the at least one control panel; and

instructions for encoding a control panel of the plurality of control panels of the user interface, the control panel visually distinct from and concurrently displayed with the module and the area, and the control panel configured to provide a plurality of advertising services for use in promoting each web-based storefront, the plurality of advertising services comprising at least one of a product advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool advertisement tool, a search engine advertisement tool, a sponsor advertising tool, or an e-mail advertising tool.

40. The first computer of claim 39, wherein the module, the area and the control panel are displayed on a display of a second computer that is accessible to the first computer over the Internet.

41. The first computer of claim 40, wherein the second computer is associated with the online business and runs the web browser.