Method and system for communicating user interfaces between first and second users over a network

• US 8,078,182 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Original Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Inventors: Monahan, Jay, Handler, Bradley A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MIZRAHI, DIANE D
• Application Number:
  US11/965,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20080104518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 455/446, 455/566, 379/93.17, 715/736, 715/744, 709/203, 709/206, 709/213, 709/207, 709/224, 709/249, 704/500, 707/610, 707/780, 707/607, 707/694, 707/705, 707/709, 707/792, 707/802
• US Class Current: 455/446
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A system generates a first user interface that includes a first plurality of items respectively associated with a first plurality of selection functions. Next, the system presents the first user interface to a first user over a communications network. Next, the system receives a first plurality of selections from the first user of a second plurality of items. The second plurality of items have been selected from the first plurality of items by the first user using the first plurality of selection functions. Next, the system generates a second user interface that includes the second plurality of items. The second plurality of items are respectively associated with a second plurality of selection functions. Finally, the system presents the second user interface to the second user.

Claims

1. A method including:

generating a first user interface including a first plurality of items and a first plurality of selection functions, the first plurality of items respectively being associated with the first plurality of selection function, the generating utilizing at least one processor;

presenting the first user interface to a first user over a communications network;

receiving a plurality of selections from the first user that identify a second plurality of items, the second plurality of items having been selected from the first plurality of items by the first user using the first plurality of selection functions, the receiving utilizing at least one processor;

generating a second user interface including the second plurality of items and a second plurality of selection functions, the second plurality of items respectively being associated with the second plurality of selection functions;

presenting the second user interface to the second user;

receiving a plurality of selections from the second user that identify a third plurality of items, the third plurality of items having been selected from the second plurality of items by the second user using the second plurality of selection functions;

generating a third user interface including the third plurality of items and a third plurality of selection functions, the third plurality of items respectively being associated with the third plurality of selection functions; and

presenting the third user interface to the first user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of items is generated in response to at least one of a search input or an automated search.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user interface is a markup language document.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the markup language document includes a plurality of links respectively associated with a plurality of listings.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user interface includes a textual description of a first item included in the first plurality of items.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first user interface includes a visual representation of the first item.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of selection functions includes a first selection function that is selected from a group of selection functions consisting of a radio button and a checkbox.

8. The method of claim 1, further including receiving a message that includes an address of the second user.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the message is selected from a message group consisting of a default message, an edited default message and a created message.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the address is selected from an address group consisting of a default address, an edited default address and an input address.

11. A machine-readable medium storing a sequence of instructions that, when executed by a machine that includes at least one processor, causes the machine to:

generate a first user interface that includes a first plurality of items and a first plurality of selection functions, the first plurality of items respectively associated with the first plurality of selection functions;

present the user interface to a first user over a communications network;

receive a first plurality of selections from the first user that identifies a second plurality of items, the second plurality of items having been selected from the first plurality of items by the first user using the first plurality of selection functions;

generate a second user interface that includes the second plurality of items and a second plurality of selection functions, the second plurality of items respectively associated with the second plurality of selection functions;

present the second user interface to the second user;

receive a plurality of selections from the second user of a third plurality of items, the third plurality of items having been selected from the second plurality of items by the second user using the second plurality of selection functions;

generate a third user interface that includes the third plurality of items and a third plurality of selection functions, the third plurality of items respectively associated with the third plurality of selection functions; and

present the third user interface to the first user.