Recursive method and system for accessing classification information

• US 7,890,382 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anne E. Robb
• Original Assignee: Anne E. Robb
• Inventors: Robb, Anne E., Fortna, Larry, Biritz, Ronald A
• Primary Examiner(s): Gart, Matthew S
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAYLES, ASHFORD S
• Application Number:
  US12/157,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20080263461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/5
• US Class Current: 705/26.61
• 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 retrieving any orderly classification of information.

Claims

1. A method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a recursive web based system or application through a device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application, until a finite selection point is achieved for the chosen classifications without inputting any search queries, comprising the steps of:

providing a device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application that is selected from at least one of a conventional computer, laptop, PDA(personal digital assistant) device, cell phone, pager, and any other wireless or non-wireless device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application,

providing a recursive web based system or application having data, objects, or items from different classifications, wherein the different data, objects, or items are listed according to classifications chosen,

providing menu pages that lead to different data, objects, or items by classifications from like and unlike categories, wherein the menu page sequencing to access and view the different data, objects, or items by classifications is established by a knowledge engineer of a category,

accessing and viewing the web based system or application having a first main menu page of category headings of the data, objects, or items from the different classifications by a device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application;

first selecting and viewing at least one of the category headings on the first main menu page on a device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application;

accessing and viewing a second menu page having first subcategory headings from the first selecting step on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application;

second selecting and viewing at least one of the first subcategory headings on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application;

accessing and viewing a third menu page having second subcategory headings from the second selecting step on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application, the second subcategory headings being solely listed in a single vertical column on the third menu page with separate second subcategory headings solely on each line;

third selecting and viewing at least one of the second subcategory headings by scrolling down the single vertical column on the third menu page on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application; and

repeating accessing and selecting and viewing by solely scrolling down only one single vertical column on each successive menu page on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application until the end of a menu series to a finite selection list of the classification that is listed in a single vertical column of selected data, objects, or items from chosen 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 on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application without inputting any search queries;

viewing the single column of the finite selection list of the classification by scrolling down the finite selection list of the selected data, objects, or items from the chosen classification on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application, without inputting of any search queries;

requesting an unlisted classification data, object, or item from the web based system or application, the unlisted data, object, or item being selected from the chosen classification;

notifying by generating instant notification to a device chosen to receive the notification when the unlisted data, object, or item has been placed in the chosen classification of the web based system or application, which matches the unlisted data, object, or item;

providing a device to receive notifications that is selected from at least one of a conventional computer, laptop, PDA(personal digital assistant) device, cell phone, pager, and any other wireless or non-wireless device that can receive notifications, where notifications include but are not limited to;

e-mail, text message, or paging, and

allowing a response to the notification of the unlisted data, object, or item placed in the chosen classification, such as but not limited to;

purchasing, updating, registering for, approving information.

2. The method of accessing information organized by classifications, of claim 1, wherein the steps of accessing of the first page, the second page, the third page, and the first selecting, the second selecting and the third selecting include at least one of:

classification menus navigated to each accessing and selecting step by point and click, classification menus navigated to each accessing and selecting step by voice command, and classification menus navigated to each accessing and selecting step by combination of point and click and voice command, on the web based system or application.

3. The method of accessing information organized by classifications, of claim 1, wherein the category headings are descriptive entrance points for accessing like and unlike information or objects having an orderly classification of data, objects or items, such as but not limited to:

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

, the information or objects having an orderly classification of data, objects or items includes but are not limited to;

goods, services, course listings, genetic mapping, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Law and Medicine.

4. The method of accessing information organized by classifications, of claim 1, wherein the first subcategory headings include:

headings for;

makes, items, and services.

5. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

solely filtering and sorting the finite selection list of the classification into a filtered and sorted list, wherein;

chosen classification information is filled in automatically minimizing human error,

viewing the filtered and sorted list, wherein filtering and sorting only occurs at the finite selection, and new data, objects, or items from chosen classification in the finite selection list are identified by a unique color;

a finite selection list containing line items with only key details for each data, object, or item from the chosen classification, whereby the finite selection list is accessed efficiently by the device used to access the web based system or application, and

choosing a line item in the finite selection list to view further details.

6. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications of claim 1, further comprising steps of:

allowing dynamic update of at least one of the category headings and the first subcategory headings by steps of;

adding and deleting from at least one of the category headings, and first subcategory headings through the device used to access the web based system or application, and

expanding listing of viewable data, objects, and items both horizontally and vertically at all levels of classifications through the device used to access the web based system or application.

11. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications of claim 1, wherein the notification step is further includes:

the notification request placed at the end of a menu series whereby;

minimizes human error for the notification request, chosen classification information is filled in automatically;

allows notification to be personalized in alphanumeric terms allowing devices that have limitations on text string size to be used to receive notification; and

viewing and editing notifications wherein;

a flag is displayed next to notifications that have responses not viewed.

12. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a recursive web based system or application of claim 1, wherein the recursive web based system or application is includes:

a recursive software engine and a database.

13. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a recursive web based system or application of claim 12, wherein the database consists of two main components:

spreadsheet formatted table(s) that contain the classification structure for like and unlike categories, and

node-based database that is generated from the spreadsheet-like formatted table(s).

14. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a recursive web based system or application of claim 13, wherein the spreadsheet formatted table(s) includes:

the classification structures for like and unlike categories that drives the menu series produced to access and view data, objects, or items of chosen classifications; and

a control-id mechanism that handles and controls the processing behaviors of like, unlike, sequential, and non-sequential data, objects, and items across like and unlike categories and classifications.

15. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a recursive web based system or application of claim 14, wherein the node-based database that is generated from the spreadsheet formatted table(s):

contains classification data for like and unlike categories generated from the spreadsheet-like formatted table(s);

interfaces with the recursive software engine to generate the menu series required to access data, objects, or items of chosen classifications;

expands when further classification of data, objects, or items are added using a device that supports access to a web based system or application;

reduces when classification of data, objects, or items are removed using a device that supports access to a web based system or application;

provides a node-based method for reverse movement through the menu series for data, objects, or items of chosen classification;

provides a node-based reference to associate a notification request with the addition of the sought after data, objects, or items of chosen classification;

provides a node-based reference to match the data, objects, or items with the chosen classification;

provides a node-based reference to match the data, objects, or items to the owner;

where an owner placed the data, objects, or items in to the classifications;

provides a node-based reference to match a notification request and response to the owner;

where an owner placed the notification request for an unlisted data, object, or item of a chosen classification; and

provides a node-based reference to owner information, where an owner placed information into the web based system or application.

16. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a recursive web based system or application of claim 15, wherein the control id mechanism that handles and controls processing behaviors includes:

classification expansion, classification reduction, banner placement, identify next step after menu selection, identify the information required to add new data, object, or item for a chosen classification, wherein the method is used for a single classification, across unlike classifications, or across like classifications.

17. The method of accessing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a recursive web based system or application of claim 16, wherein the recursive software engine includes:

interfaces with the node-based database to build the menu series for like and unlike categories of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications;

interfaces with the node-based database to apply and process the behaviors to like and unlike categories of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications;

interfaces with the node-based database for administration of data, objects, items, requests, responses associated with an owner, where an owner placed information into the web based system or application; and

presents the menu series and behaviors needed for the like and unlike categories of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications without having knowledge of the data content.

7. A method of accessing and placing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a web based system or application, comprising the steps of:

accessing a web based system or application having a first main menu page of category headings of the data, objects, or items from the different classifications, where the method is “

to view”

or “

add to”

the data, objects, or items in the classifications using the device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

first selecting at least one of the category headings on the first main menu page on a device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

accessing a second menu page having first subcategory headings from the first selecting step on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

second selecting at least one of the first subcategory headings on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

accessing a third menu page having second subcategory headings from the second selecting step on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

third selecting at least one of the second subcategory headings by scrolling down the single vertical column on the third menu page on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application;

repeating accessing and selecting and viewing by solely scrolling down only one single vertical column on each successive menu page on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application until a finite selection list of data, objects, or items in the chosen classification is reached, and

determining the status of the method from “

to view”

to “

add to”

the data, objects, or items in the chosen classifications or the intent from “

add to”

to “

view”

the data, objects, or items in the classifications at the finite selection list, and eliminating having to again enter information on at least the first selected category headings and the second selected subcategory headings.

8. The method of accessing and placing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a web based system or application of claim 7, wherein the method is “

to view”

the finite selection list of the data, objects, or items in the chosen classifications is switched to “

to add”

, and including the step of;

filling in only extra information on a listing for a new data, object, or item in the chosen classification on the web based system or application since the new listing already and automatically was updated to include at least the first selected category headings and the second selected subcategory headings.

9. A method of accessing and placing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a web based system or application, comprising the steps of:

accessing a web based system or application having a first main menu page of category headings of the data, objects, or items from the different classifications, wherein the method is “

to view”

or “

add to”

the web based system or application using the device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

first selecting at least one of the category headings on the first main menu page on a device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

accessing a second menu page having first subcategory headings from the first selecting step on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

second selecting at least one of the first subcategory headings on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

accessing a third menu page having second subcategory headings from the second selecting step on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application;

third selecting at least one of the second subcategory headings by scrolling down the single vertical column on the third menu page on the device that supports accessing and viewing a web based system or application;

repeating accessing and selecting and viewing by solely scrolling down only one single vertical column on each successive menu page on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application until a finite selection list of data, objects, or items in the chosen classification is reached, and

selectively placing a banner on limited menu pages after the first main menu page, so the banners are viewed only on the selected subsequent menu pages of the web based system or application on the device that supports accessing a web based system or application.

10. The method of accessing and placing classification information of data, objects, or items from chosen classifications on a web based system or application of claim 9, wherein the selectively placing step further includes the step of:

determining placement of the banners on the selected menu pages to the web based system or application viewing and placing a banner only associated with the data, objects, and items from classifications chosen.

18. A method of accessing classification information of different advertisements from different sellers on a web based system through customer display devices, until a finite selection point is achieved by users without inputting any search queries, the users include both buyers and sellers, each user having an interest in at least one of:

a good, and a service, comprising the steps of;

providing a customer display device;

providing a remote web site having advertisements from different sellers, wherein the advertisements include listed advertisements of different goods by different sellers, and listed advertisements of different services by different, each of the sellers;

connecting to the remote web site via the world wide web, solely through existing wireless telephone lines, by a customer using the customer display device from a location remotely located away from the remote web site, the customer adapted to include a buyer;

accessing and viewing the remote web site having a first main menu page of category headings of the advertisements from the different sellers by the customer display device solely through the existing wireless telephone lines at the location remotely located away from the remote web site;

first selecting and viewing at least one of the category headings on the first main menu page on the customer owned display device;

accessing and viewing a second menu page having first subcategory headings from the first selecting step on the customer display device;

second selecting and viewing at least one of the first subcategory headings on the customer display device;

accessing and viewing a third menu page having second subcategory headings from the second selecting step on the customer display device, the second subcategory headings being solely listed in a single vertical column on the third menu page with separate second subcategory headings solely on each line;

third selecting and viewing at least one of the second subcategory headings by scrolling down the single vertical column on the third menu page on the customer display device;

repeating accessing and selecting and viewing by solely scrolling down only one single vertical column on each successive menu page on the display device, until the buyer reaches an end of a menu series to a finite selection list of a classification that is listed in a single vertical column of selected advertisements from the advertisements from the different sellers, 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 on the customer display device without inputting any search queries;

viewing the single column of the finite selection list of the classification by scrolling down the finite selection list of the selected advertisements from the advertisements from the different sellers on the customer display device, without the inputting of any search queries; and

requesting an unlisted item from the web based system by the buyer, the unlisted item being selected from one of;

a selected good and a selected service.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

instantly notifying the buyer through the customer display device, when the unlisted item has been placed by a seller to the web based system, which matches the unlisted item; and

allowing the buyer to purchase the unlisted item from the seller.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the customer display device includes:

a handheld display device that is selected from at least one of a pager, a cell phone, and a PDA(personal digital assistant).