Method and system for defining consumer interactions for initiating execution of commands

• US 10,809,911 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2015
• Issued: 10/20/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Groupon Incorporated
• Inventors: Viswanath, Sri, Hyche, Eric, Shah, Mihir, Bergstrom, Peter, Burton, Michael, Levi, Dor, Sisinni, Fabio, Chennavasin, Don Albert, Ciocirlan, Marius G., Kim, Ben, Rahim, Riaz
• Primary Examiner(s): Elchanti, Tarek
• Application Number:
  US14/626,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20150242938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,070 Days
• Field of Search: 705 1464, 705 39, 705330, 705 1472, 455 301, 345650, 345173, 725 23, 382188, 707748, 715771, 715781, 713100, 709230
• 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: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3825 Use of electronic signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231

Abstract

Embodiments provide a computer-executed method, a computer system and computer program product for initiating a command. The method includes causing a consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a visual display of a computing device associated with a consumer, wherein the consumer input definition interface includes an indication of a command. The method also includes, while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer. The method also includes generating a compound consumer input based on the input definition data, and associating the compound consumer input with the command and the consumer. The method further includes storing the association between the compound consumer input and the command on a non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the compound consumer input from the consumer automatically initiates the command.

Claims

1. A computer-executable method for defining a compound consumer input for initiating a command, the method comprising:

causing a consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a visual display of a computing device associated with a consumer, wherein the consumer input definition interface includes an indication of a command;

while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer, wherein the input definition data comprises one or more signals created in response to the consumer interaction with the computing device;

generating a compound consumer input based on the input definition data in response to receiving the input definition data;

associating the compound consumer input with the command and the consumer; and

storing the association between the compound consumer input and the command on a non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the compound consumer input automatically initiates the command.

2. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the computing device, an indication of the compound consumer input entered by the consumer in association with a representation of an item;

based on a determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the command, retrieving item information previously stored for the item; and

using the item information to transmit computer-executable instructions to initiate the command in relation to the item.

3. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing a second consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a second visual display of a second computing device associated with a second consumer, wherein the second consumer input definition interface includes a second indication of a second command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receiving second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the second consumer;

generating a second consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associating the second consumer input with the second command and the second consumer; and

storing the association between the second consumer input and the second command on the non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the second consumer input from the second consumer automatically initiates the second command.

4. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input includes one or more of:

a checkmark selection, a touchscreen press action, a mouse click action, a touchscreen tap action, a touchscreen press and hold action, a touchscreen drag and drop action, a touchscreen pinch action, a touchscreen unpinch action, a touchscreen swipe action, a device shake action, a device twist action, a movement of the computing device, a change in orientation of the computing device, a touchscreen writing action, a touchscreen drawing or writing motion, a touchscreen selection of one or more alphanumeric characters, a keyboard action, a mouse action, a static or moving gesture captured by a camera, or a speaking of a sound.

5. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the command initiates purchase of an item without associating the item with an electronic shopping cart.

6. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying, on the visual display, a representation of an electronic shopping cart or a representation of a purchase drop region;

wherein the command is initiated upon the compound consumer input overlapping with the representation of the electronic shopping cart or the representation of the purchase drop region.

7. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time;

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

a third point at a third time subsequent to the second time;

wherein the first, second and third points are not collinear.

8. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by a point held for at least a predefined amount of time.

9. The computer-executable method of claim 8, wherein the continuous touch interaction is further defined by at least a second point at a second time subsequent to the predefined amount of time.

10. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time; and

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time;

wherein the first point and the second point define a predetermined first direction from the first point to the second point.

11. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the compound consumer input is associated with a purchase command, and wherein a second portion of the compound consumer input is associated with a second command.

12. The computer-executable method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting a display on the visual display in response to receiving an indication of the second command.

13. The computer-executable method of claim 11, wherein the second command comprises a request command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, causing a second representation for a second item to be rendered on the visual display.

14. The computer-executable method of claim 11, wherein the second command comprises a cancel purchase command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause cancellation of a purchase of an item.

15. The computer-executable method of claim 11, wherein the second command comprises a quantity command defining a number of instances of an item selected for purchase, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to cause facilitating a purchase for one or more instances of the item based on the quantity command.

16. The computer-executable method of claim 11, wherein the second command comprises a relevance indicator command, and wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmitting computer-executable instructions for;

determining one or more parameters of a first item,

associating or dissociating the one or more parameters with a consumer account as being relevant to the consumer account,

determining a second item different from the first item based on the one or more parameters, and

displaying a representation of the second item on the visual display.

17. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a location of the computing device;

determining a language associated with the location; and

associating the compound consumer input with the command based at least in part on the language.

18. The computer-executable method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the consumer input definition interface to include a second indication of a second command;

receiving second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction entered by the consumer at the consumer input definition interface;

generating a second consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associating the second consumer input with the second command; and

storing the association between the second consumer input with the second command on the non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the second consumer input from the consumer automatically initiates the second command.

19. The computer-executable method of claim 18, wherein the second command undoes the command.

20. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the command includes one or more of commands for purchasing an item, sharing the item with a second consumer, undoing a purchase of the item, researching the item, viewing details of the item, comparing the item to one or more additional items, placing a hold on the item, saving the item, seeking help on the item or a purchase of the item, rating the item, or indicating a relevance of the item to the consumer.

21. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the command initiates a change in an operation of the computing device.

22. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the command initiates a purchase of a promotion offered by a promotion and marketing service.

43. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point on the touchscreen at a first time;

a second point on the touchscreen at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

wherein a distance between the first point and the second point divided by a difference between the first time and the second time satisfies a predetermined threshold.

44. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by both:

detecting the continuous touch interaction for a predetermined duration; and

detecting a touchscreen entry of a checkmark.

45. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the input definition data comprises data indicative of at least one of:

a character, a word, a number, and a symbol in the compound consumer input, and wherein the command is defined by the at least one of;

the character, the word, the number, and the symbol.

46. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein a time required for the consumer to input the compound consumer input is less than a time required for the consumer to input the command without the compound consumer input, such that the compound consumer input is configured to reduce the time required for the consumer to input the command.

47. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein subsequent to storing the association between the compound consumer input and the command, the method further comprises:

causing, via processor, a consumer interface to be displayed on the visual display of the computing device;

while the consumer interface is displayed, receiving an indication of the compound consumer input entered by the consumer;

based on a determination, via at least one processor, that the compound consumer input corresponds to the command, transmitting computer-executable instructions to initiate execution of the command associated with the compound consumer input.

48. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein generating the compound consumer input comprises transforming the one or more signals into data representative of the consumer interaction.

49. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the consumer input definition interface comprises an input interface region such that the input definition data is received in the input interface region.

50. The computer-executable method of claim 49, wherein the indication of the command is displayed in a different region than the input interface region.

51. The computer-executable method of claim 1, wherein the computing device associated with the consumer is a mobile device comprising a touchscreen and the input definition data defines a consumer interaction with the touchscreen.

23. A computer system is provided comprising at least a processor, and a memory associated with the processor having computer coded instructions therein, with the computer coded instructions configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the computer system to:

cause a consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a visual display of a computing device associated with a consumer, wherein the consumer input definition interface includes an indication of a command;

while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer, wherein the input definition data comprises one or more signals created in response to the consumer interaction with the computing device;

generate a compound consumer input based on the input definition data in response to receiving the input definition data;

associate the compound consumer input with the command and the consumer; and

store the association between the compound consumer input and the command on a non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the compound consumer input automatically initiates the command.

24. The computer system of claim 23, further configured to:

receive, from the computing device, an indication of the compound consumer input entered by the consumer in association with a representation of an item;

based on a determination that the compound consumer input corresponds to the command, retrieve item information previously stored for the item; and

use the item information to transmit computer-executable instructions to initiate the command in relation to the item.

25. The computer system of claim 23, further configured to:

cause a second consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a second visual display of a second computing device associated with a second consumer, wherein the second consumer input definition interface includes a second indication of a second command;

while the second consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction by the second consumer;

generate a second consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associate the second consumer input with the second command and the second consumer; and

store the association between the second consumer input and the second command on the non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the second consumer input from the consumer automatically initiates the second command.

26. The computer system of claim 23, further configured to:

display, on the visual display, a representation of an electronic shopping cart or a representation of a purchase drop region;

wherein the command is configured to be initiated upon the compound consumer input overlapping with the representation of the electronic shopping cart or the representation of the purchase drop region.

27. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time;

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time; and

a third point at a third time subsequent to the second time;

wherein the first, second and third points are not collinear.

28. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by a point held for at least a predefined amount of time.

29. The computer system of claim 28, wherein the continuous touch interaction is further defined by at least a second point at a second time subsequent to the predefined amount of time.

30. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the compound consumer input is a continuous touch interaction using a touchscreen, defined by:

a first point at a first time; and

a second point at a second time subsequent to the first time;

wherein the first point and the second point define a predetermined first direction from the first point to the second point.

31. The computer system of claim 23, wherein a first portion of the compound consumer input is associated with a purchase command, and wherein a second portion of the compound consumer input is associated with a second command.

32. The computer system of claim 31, further configured to:

adjust a display on the visual display in response to receiving an indication of the second command.

33. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the second command comprises a request command, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, cause a second representation for a second item to be rendered on the visual display.

34. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the second command comprises a cancel purchase command, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause cancellation of a purchase of an item.

35. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the second command comprises a quantity command defining a number of instances of an item selected for purchase, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions to cause facilitating a purchase for one or more instances of the item based on the quantity command.

36. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the second command comprises a relevance indicator command, and wherein the computer system is further configured to:

in response to receiving an indication of the second command, transmit computer-executable instructions for;

determining one or more parameters of a first item,

associating or dissociating the one or more parameters with a consumer account as being relevant to the consumer account,

determining a second item different from the first item based on the one or more parameters, and

displaying a representation of the second item on the visual display.

37. The computer system of claim 23, further configured to:

cause the consumer input definition interface to include a second indication of a second command;

receive second input definition data defining a second consumer interaction entered by the consumer at the consumer input definition interface;

generate a second consumer input based on the second input definition data;

associate the second consumer input with the second command; and

store the association between the second consumer input with the second command on the non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the second consumer input from the consumer automatically initiates the second command.

38. The computer system of claim 37, wherein the second command is configured to undo the command.

39. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the command includes one or more of commands for purchasing an item, sharing the item with a second consumer, undoing a purchase of the item, researching the item, viewing details of the item, comparing the item to one or more additional items, placing a hold on the item, saving the item, seeking help on the item or a purchase of the item, rating the item, or indicating a relevance of the item to the consumer.

40. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the command is configured to initiate a change in an operation of the computing device.

41. The computer system of claim 23, wherein the command is configured to initiate a purchase of a promotion offered by a promotion and marketing service.

42. A computer program product is provided comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer program instructions stored therein, said instructions when executed by a processor configured to:

cause a consumer input definition interface to be displayed on a visual display of a computing device associated with a consumer, wherein the consumer input definition interface includes an indication of a command;

while the consumer input definition interface is displayed, receive input definition data defining a consumer interaction by the consumer, wherein the input definition data comprises one or more signals created in response to the consumer interaction with the computing device;

generate a compound consumer input based on the input definition data in response to receiving the input definition data;

associate the compound consumer input with the command and the consumer; and

store the association between the compound consumer input and the command on a non-transitory storage device so that receipt of the compound consumer input automatically initiates the command.