Selection interface systems, structures, devices and methods
First Claim
1. An apparatus linked to at least one database, wherein the database comprises storage of information associated with a plurality of items, wherein the information associated with each corresponding item comprises one or more characteristics that correspond to the item, and at least one image of at least a portion of the item, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a user interface comprisingan image window, andat least one feature selector for user selection of one or more selectable characteristics;
a lock associated with one or more of the at least one feature selector, wherein the lock is operable to lock a corresponding feature selector for a selectable characteristic, wherein only items that meet a locked selectable characteristic are available for presentation to a user within the image window; and
a hardware processor;
wherein upon user selection of one or more of the selectable characteristics by a user through the interface, the hardware processor is configured todetermine which of the plurality of items in the database have characteristics that match the characteristics selected by the user,retrieve at least one corresponding image for each of the items that are determined to have characteristics that match the characteristics selected by the user, anddisplay the at least one retrieved image within the image window.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user selection interface system comprises one or more rotatable selectors linked to selectable characteristics, and a display linked to the selectors, for display of an image that corresponds to the selected characteristics. The interface is typically linked to a database comprising stored images and other information which corresponds to the selectable characteristics, whereby an image that corresponds to an item which meets a selected characteristic is retrieved and displayed. Information other than the corresponding image may also be retrieved and displayed. In some embodiments, the stored images comprise a single image, which matches all the selected characteristics, or a composite image that is based upon stored images which correspond to different selected characteristics. In some embodiments, the user selection interface comprises a graphic user interface or a mechanical interface. Some preferred embodiments of the interface provide links for merchandising functions, such as for ordering, purchasing, inventories, and/or shipping.
28 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus linked to at least one database, wherein the database comprises storage of information associated with a plurality of items, wherein the information associated with each corresponding item comprises one or more characteristics that correspond to the item, and at least one image of at least a portion of the item, wherein the apparatus comprises:
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a user interface comprising an image window, and at least one feature selector for user selection of one or more selectable characteristics; a lock associated with one or more of the at least one feature selector, wherein the lock is operable to lock a corresponding feature selector for a selectable characteristic, wherein only items that meet a locked selectable characteristic are available for presentation to a user within the image window; and a hardware processor; wherein upon user selection of one or more of the selectable characteristics by a user through the interface, the hardware processor is configured to determine which of the plurality of items in the database have characteristics that match the characteristics selected by the user, retrieve at least one corresponding image for each of the items that are determined to have characteristics that match the characteristics selected by the user, and display the at least one retrieved image within the image window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system implemented over a network, comprising:
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at least one database comprising storage of information associated with a plurality of items, wherein the information associated with each corresponding item comprises one or more characteristics that correspond to the item, and at least one image of at least a portion of the item; a hardware processor in communication with the at least one database over the network; a user interface comprising an image window, and at least one feature selector for user selection of one or more selectable characteristics; and a lock associated with one or more of the at least one feature selector, wherein the lock is operable to lock a corresponding feature selector for a selectable characteristic, wherein only items that meet a locked selectable characteristic are available for presentation to a user within the image window; wherein upon user selection of one or more of the selectable characteristics by a user through the user interface, the hardware processor is configured to determine which of the plurality of items in the database have characteristics that match the characteristics selected by the user, retrieve at least one corresponding image for each of the items that are determined to have characteristics that match the characteristics selected by the user, and display the at least one retrieved image within the image window of the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A device, comprising:
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at least one database comprising storage of information associated with a plurality of items, wherein the information associated with each corresponding item comprises one or more characteristics that correspond to the item, and at least one image of at least a portion of the item; a user interface comprising an image window, and at least one feature selector for user selection of one or more selectable characteristics; a lock associated with one or more of the at least one feature selector, wherein the lock is operable to lock a corresponding feature selector for a selectable characteristic, wherein only items that meet a locked selectable characteristic are available for presentation to a user within the image window; and a hardware processor; wherein upon user selection of one or more of the selectable characteristics by a user through the interface, the hardware processor is configured to determine which of the plurality of items in the database have characteristics that match the characteristics selected by the user, retrieve at least one corresponding image for each of the items that are determined to have characteristics that match the characteristics selected by the user, and display the at least one retrieved image within the image window. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification