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Below we list the features in Claim 1 from Patent US8849707B2 and 9 prior art references that fully or partially disclose these features. The priority date of Patent US8849707B2 is 2006-01-27.
List of Features
- 1a: A method for facilitating business-to-business personal connections by enhancing Internet search results, the method comprising the machine-implemented steps of:
- 1b: registering one or more selling entities by establishing a selling entity account for each of the one or more selling entities in a business-to-business connectivity service, wherein each of the one or more selling entities corresponds to a single individual associated with one or more companies and wherein each individual is associated with only one selling entity
- 1c: registering one or more buying entities by establishing a buying entity account for each of the one or more buying entities in a business-to-business connectivity service, wherein each of the one or more buying entities corresponds to a single individual
- 1d: receiving one or more search query terms from a searching user
- 1e: determining, based on the one or more search query terms, a first set of search results generated by an Internet search engine that queries the World Wide Web, that are relevant relative to the search query terms
- 1f: selecting, from the first set, a second set of one or more search results, wherein each search result in the second set is selected in response to a determination that it comprises a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that has been previously registered in association with at least one selling entity account in the business-to-business connectivity service
- 1g: ranking the one or more search results in the second set based on at least one of:
- 1h: one or more ratings that are based on input from one or more buying entities or, a filter score that is based on filter criteria specified by a submitter of the search query terms when the submitter of the search query terms is a buying entity
- 1i: generating, for presentation, seller-specific information for each of the search results that are in the second set of search results, wherein seller-specific information comprises the name of a selling entity, the company associated with each selling entity, and one or both of a product or service that each selling entity is associated with
- 1j: presenting seller-specific information in connection with only those search results for which seller-specific information was generated
Prior Art References
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US10600084B2
Inventors: Nancy Kramer
Priority Date: 2004-04-14
Reference Summary: This reference describes a system for personalizing search results based on a user’s social network information. It allows customizing search results based on the user’s profile, connections, and activity in a social network. This is relevant to the claim features about enhancing search results using social network data to facilitate business connections.
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US20070078851A1
Inventors: Mathew Grell, Scott Quarterman
Priority Date: 2005-10-05
Reference Summary: This reference describes ranking search results based on user ratings and reviews, including using ratings from users within the searcher’s social network. This directly matches the claim feature of ranking results using ratings from the searcher’s social connections.
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US7698281B2
Inventors: Stephan Cunningham, Anthony Molinaro, Frank Maritato, Jr., Peng Zhao, Nick Conrad
Priority Date: 2002-05-08
Reference Summary: This reference describes a system for facilitating e-commerce between sellers and buyers over a network. It includes registering seller and buyer accounts, receiving search queries, determining search results based on relevance and bid amounts, and presenting ranked search results with seller information. While not an exact match, it covers similar concepts of registering sellers/buyers, processing searches, and presenting results with seller details.
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US8126779B2
Inventors: William Paul Wanker
Priority Date: 1999-04-11
Reference Summary: This reference discusses using social network information and user ratings to rank search results, which is relevant to the claim feature of ranking results based on ratings from users in the searcher’s social network.
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US8452691B2
Inventors: Holly C MacDonald Korth, Samuel Jacob Peterson
Priority Date: 2005-09-21
Reference Summary: This reference describes a system for filtering search query results based on social connections. It allows users to sort or filter search results based on friends, friends of friends, groups, location, ratings, etc. This is relevant to the claim features about facilitating business-to-business connections by enhancing search results based on social network information.
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US8468055B2
Inventors: James D. Bennett, Christopher C. Winslade
Priority Date: 1999-04-19
Reference Summary: This reference describes a system for matching buyers and sellers in an online marketplace. It includes registering buyer and seller profiles, receiving search criteria, determining matches based on the profiles and criteria, and presenting match results. While more focused on matching rather than search, it covers similar concepts of registering users, processing queries, and presenting relevant results.
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US8694385B1
Inventors: Dwayne Bowman, Greg Linden, Ruben E. Ortega, Joel R. Spiegel
Priority Date: 1998-03-03
Reference Summary: This reference describes ranking search results based on user ratings and reviews, including using ratings from users within the searcher’s social network. This is directly relevant to the claim feature of ranking search results based on ratings from users in the searcher’s social network.
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US9805425B2
Inventors: Holly C. MacDonald-Korth, Samuel Jacob Peterson
Priority Date: 2004-06-02
Reference Summary: This reference describes a system for facilitating business-to-business connections by enhancing Internet search results. It includes registering selling and buying entities, receiving search queries, determining search results, and presenting seller-specific information for matching results. This closely matches many of the key features described in the claim, including registering sellers/buyers, receiving search queries, determining results, and presenting seller information.
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WO2007076297A2
Inventors: John Stannard Davis Iii, Eric Moe
Priority Date: 2005-12-16
Reference Summary: This reference discusses ranking search results based on user ratings and reviews, including using ratings from users within a certain social distance. This relates to the claim feature of using ratings from users in the searcher’s social network to rank results.
High Level Summary Chart
The mark “x” in the table below indicates that the reference fully or partially discloses the feature
| References | Feature 1a | Feature 1b | Feature 1c | Feature 1d | Feature 1e | Feature 1f | Feature 1g | Feature 1h | Feature 1i | Feature 1j |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10600084B2 (“Kramer”) | x | x | x | |||||||
| US20070078851A1 (“Grell”) | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| US7698281B2 (“Cunningham”) | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||
| US8126779B2 (“Wanker”) | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||
| US8452691B2 (“Korth”) | x | x | x | x | x | |||||
| US8468055B2 (“Bennett”) | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| US8694385B1 (“Bowman”) | x | x | x | x | x | |||||
| US9805425B2 (“MacDonald-Korth”) | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| WO2007076297A2 (“Iii”) | x | x | x |
Claim Chart
| Claim Features | Reference Text | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Feature (1a): A method for facilitating business-to-business personal connections by enhancing Internet search results, the method comprising the machine-implemented steps of: | ||
| Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a system and methods for facilitating e-commerce on the Web. US9805425B2 (“MacDonald-Korth“) | This discloses a method for facilitating business connections via the internet, which aligns with the claim feature of facilitating business-to-business personal connections by enhancing Internet search results. | |
| The second server type contemplated is a search engine web server 24. A search engine program permits network users, upon navigating to the search engine web server URL or sites on other web servers capable of submitting queries to the search engine web server 24 through their browser program 16, to type keyword queries to identify pages of interest among the billions of pages available on the Internet. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses a search engine web server that allows users to submit keyword queries to search for pages of interest on the Internet, which facilitates connections by enhancing search results. | |
| In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the search engine web server 24 generates a search result list that includes, at least in part, relevant entries obtained from and formatted by the results of the bidding process conducted by the account management server 22. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses generating search results based on a bidding process, which enhances the search results to facilitate connections. | |
| The MSIS supports query definition in several ways to provide the buyer with greatly needed yet currently unavailable functionality. For example, through a category selection process and/or textual search term entry, a buyer can construct a query to simultaneously retrieve from all sellers all underlying product sales information matching the query. US8468055B2 (“Bennett“) | This text discloses a method for enhancing Internet search results by allowing buyers to construct queries to retrieve product information from multiple sellers simultaneously. | |
| The present invention provides a software facility (“the facility”) for identifying the items most relevant to a current query based on items selected in connection with similar queries. The facility preferably generates ranking values for items indicating their level of relevance to the current query, which specifies one or more query terms. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This discloses a method for enhancing search results by identifying relevant items based on selections for similar queries. | |
| The present invention provides a software facility (“the facility”) for identifying the items most relevant to a current query based on items selected in connection with similar queries. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This discloses a method for enhancing search results by identifying relevant items based on previous selections. | |
| This Invention comes about from our perceived need for bettei; ratings systems than those which are currently available particularly in online environments. We believe that our system addresses widely perceived problems with online commerce and recommendation systems in a way that is unique and valuable to ratings consumers. WO2007076297A2 (“Iii“) | This discloses the general concept of a method for enhancing online search/recommendation systems to facilitate business connections. | |
| Ratings used in the inventive system can be for goods or services, people or businesses, or essentially anything that can be rated and/or recommended. The ratings can be used in many ways ranging from looking up ratings for a seller or potential buyer on Ebay to searching for items rated highly within a certain context (e.g., show me the best plumbers on Craigslist.org using 3 degrees of trust relationship). WO2007076297A2 (“Iii“) | This discloses using ratings to enhance search results for businesses/services. | |
| Fig. 16 illustrates how a user interacts with one embodiment of the system. First the user sets up the system by indicating trusted persons by means of user aliases, ids or other user identifying information such as email addresses or phone numbers and the contextual trust level for other users (this may require approval by trusted persons). Then the user applies an anonymous trusted persons filter to the item/service/ or person to determine the rating (based on stored rating data). WO2007076297A2 (“Iii“) | This text discloses a method for facilitating connections by enhancing search results through a trust-based rating system. | |
| The present version of the invention relates generally to Internet and/or telecommunications systems and more specifically to a method, system and apparatus for filtering search query results. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This discloses a method for enhancing Internet search results | |
| Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present version of the invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantage, and meets the recognized need for such an invention by providing a system and method for sorting or filtering search query results based on friends, friends of friends, groups, friends groups, city, area, highly rated reviewers, highly rated service providers, distance, proximity, coupon, or combinations thereof, wherein the present invention provides the user with the capability to sort or filter search results by selecting to apply a filter to such search results US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This discloses enhancing Internet search results by filtering/sorting them based on various criteria | |
| Typically, a user system 220 asks server system 260 to locate information relating to a particular category and/or sub category of service providers or based on a key word search of service providers. In a preferred embodiment of the present version of the invention search engine 280 searches a set of service provider data and/or information stored in database 270 and responds to the user’s query by returning a list of relevant data and/or information to the user at user system 220 matching user’s search query. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This text discloses a method for enhancing Internet search results by allowing users to search for service providers and returning relevant results. | |
| An online information system, a method of collecting information on the products and services of merchants, establishing a weighting for comparison information, calculating a ranking of merchants or products based on the weighting of the comparison information, and returning the results of the ranking to the consumer. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This text discloses a method for enhancing Internet search results by collecting merchant information, establishing weightings, calculating rankings, and returning results to the user. | |
| As shown in FIGS. 9-14 and 21, according to an embodiment of the present invention, provided is a method for facilitating e-commerce between a plurality of selling users and a plurality of potential buyers over a computer network US8452691B2 (“Korth“) | This discloses a method for facilitating business connections (e-commerce) over a computer network (Internet) | |
| One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and system for storing and delivering search indexes and search results via a network. US10600084B2 (“Kramer“) | This discloses a method for enhancing Internet search results by storing and delivering search indexes and results via a network. | |
| Feature (1b): registering one or more selling entities by establishing a selling entity account for each of the one or more selling entities in a business-to-business connectivity service, wherein each of the one or more selling entities corresponds to a single individual associated with one or more companies and wherein each individual is associated with only one selling entity | ||
| Registration permits the users to set up a home page 200 and join the communications network and be electronically interconnected as part of system 30 to define a community of users. One example of a web page (hereinafter, page) for registering users is illustrated in FIG. 14. Registration involves entering a variety of personal information, such as contact information 2201, security information 2103, and preferences. US9805425B2 (“MacDonald-Korth“) | This discloses registering users by establishing accounts with personal information, which aligns with registering selling entities by establishing accounts. | |
| The account record 300 also contains billing information 320, such as current balance, credit card information. The billing information 320 contains data accessed when the advertiser selects the option to add money to the advertiser’s account. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses establishing an account for advertisers (selling entities) with billing information, which is similar to registering selling entities by establishing accounts. | |
| Service provider preferably is a business entity with a business line; however, including but not limited to, individual(s), sole proprietor, doing business as, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, company, limited or any other entity that is in need of advertising its goods and/or services. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This text discloses that service providers can be individuals or business entities that advertise goods/services, which is similar to selling entities. | |
| Feature (1c): registering one or more buying entities by establishing a buying entity account for each of the one or more buying entities in a business-to-business connectivity service, wherein each of the one or more buying entities corresponds to a single individual | ||
| Registration permits the users to set up a home page 200 and join the communications network and be electronically interconnected as part of system 30 to define a community of users. One example of a web page (hereinafter, page) for registering users is illustrated in FIG. 14. Registration involves entering a variety of personal information, such as contact information 2201, security information 2103, and preferences. US9805425B2 (“MacDonald-Korth“) | This discloses registering users by establishing accounts with personal information, which aligns with registering buying entities by establishing accounts. | |
| Buyers have the option of registering with the promotional server 505 over the Internet using the buyer’s web client 511 . During such online registration process, the buyer provides personal information and credit card information that are stored by the promotional server 505 . US8468055B2 (“Bennett“) | This text discloses registering buyers by establishing buyer accounts with personal and payment information. | |
| Feature (1d): receiving one or more search query terms from a searching user | ||
| As depicted at steps 205 and 207 ( FIGS. 2A and 14-16), the method further comprises users performing, for example, keyword searches or browsing taxonomy, respectively, of other users’ networks and data contained in database 47 within the community to locate products or services from a product list 209 from database 47 in which the users are interested in electronic commerce. US9805425B2 (“MacDonald-Korth“) | This discloses receiving search query terms from a user, as it mentions users performing keyword searches. | |
| A search engine program permits network users, upon navigating to the search engine web server URL or sites on other web servers capable of submitting queries to the search engine web server 24 through their browser program 16, to type keyword queries to identify pages of interest among the billions of pages available on the Internet. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses receiving keyword queries (search query terms) from users through their browser programs. | |
| The MSIS supports query definition in several ways to provide the buyer with greatly needed yet currently unavailable functionality. For example, through a category selection process and/or textual search term entry, a buyer can construct a query to simultaneously retrieve from all sellers all underlying product sales information matching the query. US8468055B2 (“Bennett“) | This text discloses receiving search query terms from a user through textual search term entry. | |
| In order to perform a search, a user submits a query or selection specification containing one or more query terms. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This discloses receiving search query terms from a user. | |
| Typically, a user system 220 asks server system 260 to locate information relating to a particular category and/or sub category of service providers or based on a key word search of service providers. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This text discloses receiving search query terms from a user to search for service providers. | |
| In response to a query forwarded by the consumer the server requests comparison information from the database relating to both the product specified in the query and the merchants offering the specified product. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This discloses receiving a search query from a user | |
| In response to receiving the search criteria (see FIG. 9) entered or otherwise presented by a potential buyer web browser (block 181), the system 30 can form (block 183) and present to the potential buyer (block 185) a custom search results web page 112 including a list of items satisfying the search results criteria US8452691B2 (“Korth“) | This discloses receiving search criteria (query terms) from a potential buyer (searching user) | |
| The user enters his search terms via the user interface component 1104 on the browser capable device 1102. The network component 1106 sends the search term to the server components 1108 and more specifically to the search engine component 1114. US10600084B2 (“Kramer“) | This discloses receiving search query terms from a user via a user interface and sending them to a search engine component. | |
| Feature (1e): determining, based on the one or more search query terms, a first set of search results generated by an Internet search engine that queries the World Wide Web, that are relevant relative to the search query terms | ||
| As depicted at steps 205 and 207 ( FIGS. 2A and 14-16), the method further comprises users performing, for example, keyword searches or browsing taxonomy, respectively, of other users’ networks and data contained in database 47 within the community to locate products or services from a product list 209 from database 47 in which the users are interested in electronic commerce. US9805425B2 (“MacDonald-Korth“) | This discloses determining search results based on search terms, as it mentions locating products or services based on keyword searches. | |
| In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the search engine web server 24 generates a search result list that includes, at least in part, relevant entries obtained from and formatted by the results of the bidding process conducted by the account management server 22. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses generating a search result list with relevant entries based on the search query, which corresponds to determining a first set of search results relevant to the search query terms. | |
| The MSIS supports query definition in several ways to provide the buyer with greatly needed yet currently unavailable functionality. For example, through a category selection process and/or textual search term entry, a buyer can construct a query to simultaneously retrieve from all sellers all underlying product sales information matching the query. US8468055B2 (“Bennett“) | This text discloses determining search results from multiple sellers based on the user’s query terms. | |
| A query server program processes the query to identify within the domain items matching the terms of the query. The items identified by the query server program are collectively known as a query result. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This discloses generating a set of search results based on the query terms. | |
| In a preferred embodiment of the present version of the invention search engine 280 searches a set of service provider data and/or information stored in database 270 and responds to the user’s query by returning a list of relevant data and/or information to the user at user system 220 matching user’s search query. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This text discloses determining a set of search results based on the query terms that are relevant to the search query. | |
| The server also retrieves weighting factor information from the database. The server applies the weighting factor information to the merchant information and the comparison information on the specified product to calculate weighted comparison factors relating to product and merchant information. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This discloses determining search results based on the query terms by retrieving and applying weighting factors to merchant and product information | |
| In response to receiving the search criteria (see FIG. 9) entered or otherwise presented by a potential buyer web browser (block 181), the system 30 can form (block 183) and present to the potential buyer (block 185) a custom search results web page 112 including a list of items satisfying the search results criteria US8452691B2 (“Korth“) | This discloses determining a set of search results based on the search criteria that are relevant to the search criteria | |
| The network component 1106 then sends the search results from the search engine component 1114 back to the search user to be displayed on the user interface component 1104 that is on the browser capable device component 1102. US10600084B2 (“Kramer“) | This discloses generating search results based on the search terms and sending them back to be displayed to the user. | |
| Feature (1f): selecting, from the first set, a second set of one or more search results, wherein each search result in the second set is selected in response to a determination that it comprises a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that has been previously registered in association with at least one selling entity account in the business-to-business connectivity service | ||
| The URL 356 contains the Uniform Resource Locator address of the advertiser’s web site. When the user clicks on the hyperlink provided in the advertiser’s search result list entry, the URL is provided to the browser program. The browser program, in turn, accesses the advertiser’s web site by redirecting the browser to the web site specified by the URL. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses that search results include URLs associated with advertiser accounts, which is similar to selecting search results with URLs registered with selling entity accounts. | |
| Feature (1g): ranking the one or more search results in the second set based on at least one of: | ||
| Preferably, rank value is an ordinal value determined in a direct relationship to the bid amount 358; the higher the bid amount, the higher the rank value, and the more advantageous the placement location on the search result list. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses ranking search results based on bid amounts, which is a way of ranking search results. | |
| The facility generates a ranking value for an item by combining rating scores, produced by a rating function, that each correspond to the level of relevance of the item to queries containing one of the ranking values. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This discloses ranking search results based on ranking values generated for items. | |
| Once the facility has generated ranking values for at least some items, the facility preferably orders the items of the query result in decreasing order of ranking value. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This further discloses ranking/ordering the search results based on the generated ranking values. | |
| The facility preferably generates ranking values for items indicating their level of relevance to the current query, which specifies one or more query terms. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This discloses ranking search results based on relevance to the query. | |
| Next, users who have trust network data entered in the system can select a ratings filter or view based upon various aspects of their trust network (e.g. Degrees of Trust Network Separation and/or Effective Trust Level of raters). The ‘Ratings Engine’ then calculates trust network-based ratings values according to the filter selected by the user in a way that preserves rater anonymity. WO2007076297A2 (“Iii“) | This discloses ranking/filtering search results based on trust network ratings. | |
| Server 304 preferably filters or sorts such first list of specific service providers into a second list of specific service providers based on such request of user 302. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This discloses ranking/sorting search results into a second set based on user criteria | |
| The user may request server system 260 and/or user system 220 to re-order the service provider data and/or information matching user’s query based on friends, friends of friends, groups, area, zip code, zip+4, city, metro area, state, highly rated reviewers, highly rated service providers, distance, proximity, coupon, or combinations thereof or other such information as would meet the purpose described herein. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This text discloses ranking/reordering search results based on various criteria. | |
| The system proceeds to step ( 309 ) where the weighting factors are applied to the comparison information. Step ( 309 ) produces an aggregate score for each merchant which is the sum of the weighting factors applied to the relevant category of comparison information corresponding to the weighting factor. Step ( 310 ) then compares the merchant aggregate values to determine a ranking. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This text discloses ranking search results based on applying weighting factors to comparison information to produce aggregate scores for each merchant, which are then compared to determine a ranking. | |
| The weighted comparison factors are summed to an aggregate score for each merchant. The server uses the aggregate merchant score to produce a ranking of the merchants offering the specified product. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This discloses ranking search results based on aggregate scores calculated from weighted comparison factors | |
| Feature (1h): one or more ratings that are based on input from one or more buying entities or, a filter score that is based on filter criteria specified by a submitter of the search query terms when the submitter of the search query terms is a buying entity | ||
| The method of the present invention also permits a user to make ratings of those in the user’s networks. For example, business ratings (step 245 of FIG. 2C) of electronic commerce with other users step indicated at 251 within the community are made and entered in database 47 thus are viewable (as shown in FIG. 8) for the business network, and personal ratings (step 227 of FIG. 2B) of personal, non-commercial electronic interactions with other users within the community are made and entered in database 47 for the personal network (as shown in FIG. 6). US9805425B2 (“MacDonald-Korth“) | This discloses ratings based on input from users, which aligns with ratings based on input from buying entities. | |
| The scores in the rating table preferably reflect, for a particular item and term, how often users have selected the item when the item has been identified in query results produced for queries containing the term. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This discloses using ratings based on user input (selections) to rank results. | |
| The facility generates a ranking value for an item by combining rating scores, produced by a rating function, that each correspond to the level of relevance of the item to queries containing one of the ranking values. US8694385B1 (“Bowman“) | This discloses using rating scores to rank items, which could be considered a form of ratings. | |
| Essentially an e-commerce website with a population of using buyers and sellers collects and stores users’ anonymous ratings of each other (typically only those with whom they’ve transacted) and transactional information necessary to provide a rating any needed context (e.g., type of transaction, date of transaction, type of item sold, cost of item, type of payment, etc.). WO2007076297A2 (“Iii“) | This discloses using ratings from buying entities (buyers who have transacted) as input. | |
| A user can be presented with one or more filtering options that can manually be selected, or the user might be allowed to create and store customized filtering templates. This enables users to create and use filters which are valuable to them. WO2007076297A2 (“Iii“) | This discloses allowing users to specify filter criteria for search results. | |
| As a result the user can view the trust network filtered ratings which are calculated by the Ratings Engine using the user’s trust network information and the user’s selected filter and view settings. WO2007076297A2 (“Iii“) | This discloses ranking search results based on ratings from other users (buying entities) and filter criteria specified by the user. | |
| Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to allow a member or user to sort and/or filter a list of service providers and their contact information, ratings, reviews, recommendations and/or other service provider information based on highly rated members or users in your area. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This discloses ranking based on ratings from users/members, which could include buying entities | |
| The user may request server system 260 and/or user system 220 to re-order the service provider data and/or information matching user’s query based on friends, friends of friends, groups, area, zip code, zip+4, city, metro area, state, highly rated reviewers, highly rated service providers, distance, proximity, coupon, or combinations thereof or other such information as would meet the purpose described herein. US20070078851A1 (“Grell“) | This text discloses ranking based on criteria like highly rated reviewers and highly rated service providers, which implies ratings from users. | |
| In one embodiment of the present invention the weighting factors are input by the consumer, allowing the consumer to customize the ranking to reflect the priorities the consumer places on different factors when making a purchasing decision. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This text discloses that weighting factors can be input by the consumer (i.e. buying entity) to customize the ranking based on their priorities. | |
| At step ( 306 ) the system applies a filter to screen any merchants not meeting any selected criteria, Examples of screening information includes any information corresponding to a potential weighting factor as shown in connection with FIG. 3 . A consumer could screen merchants by payment method, location, and threshold for number of offered goods, maximum price, affiliation, or other information on the merchant included in the database. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This text discloses applying filters based on criteria specified by the consumer to screen merchants, which is similar to a filter score based on filter criteria specified by the submitter. | |
| The present invention allows both of these comparison features to be presented on the total ranking, the ranking of merchants within a category, and that relative difference for individual comparison factors. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This suggests rankings can be based on multiple factors and categories | |
| Feature (1i): generating, for presentation, seller-specific information for each of the search results that are in the second set of search results, wherein seller-specific information comprises the name of a selling entity, the company associated with each selling entity, and one or both of a product or service that each selling entity is associated with | ||
| An example of a search result list display used in an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.4, which is a display of the first several entries resulting from a search for the term “zip drives”. As shown in FIG. 4, a single entry, such as entry 710 a in a search result list consists of a description 720 of the web site, preferably comprising a title and a short textual description, and a hyperlink 730 which, when clicked by a searcher, directs the searcher’s browser to the URL where the described web site is located. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses generating search result entries with specific information about each result, including a description and URL, which is similar to generating seller-specific information for presentation. | |
| FIG. 21 is a diagram that shows a list of products with prices provided to Buyer by the MSIS. It shows a comparison of prices, for products acquired from two different shopping carts. In this exemplary scenario, products bought from two different Sellers add up to a total that is less than the total quoted by another single Seller. Addition, the Sellers are rated with asterisks (**) indicating the ratings. US8468055B2 (“Bennett“) | This text discloses generating seller-specific information for search results, including product information, prices, and seller ratings. | |
| The merchant line includes a merchant rank block ( 602 ) on the leftmost portion of the merchant display line ( 611 ). The merchant rank block gives the merchants rank based on the merchant’s aggregate value relative to the other merchant in the ranking. A merchant name block ( 603 ) is located adjacent to the merchant rank block ( 602 ) and identifies the merchant through their trade name. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This discloses generating seller-specific information for presentation including the merchant name | |
| The search results web page 112 can be developed to include hyperlinks to each of the various seller marketplace item web pages 111 satisfying the search criteria associated with the respective titles of the items, and/or icons 120 each providing a hyperlink to each respective seller marketplace item web page 111 associated with an item satisfying such search criteria ( 201). US8452691B2 (“Korth“) | This discloses generating seller-specific information (seller marketplace item web pages) for the search results | |
| Feature (1j): presenting seller-specific information in connection with only those search results for which seller-specific information was generated | ||
| An example of a search result list display used in an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.4, which is a display of the first several entries resulting from a search for the term “zip drives”. As shown in FIG. 4, a single entry, such as entry 710 a in a search result list consists of a description 720 of the web site, preferably comprising a title and a short textual description, and a hyperlink 730 which, when clicked by a searcher, directs the searcher’s browser to the URL where the described web site is located. US7698281B2 (“Cunningham“) | This text discloses presenting search result entries with specific information about each result, which is similar to presenting seller-specific information for search results. | |
| FIG. 21 is a diagram that shows a list of products with prices provided to Buyer by the MSIS. It shows a comparison of prices, for products acquired from two different shopping carts. In this exemplary scenario, products bought from two different Sellers add up to a total that is less than the total quoted by another single Seller. Addition, the Sellers are rated with asterisks (**) indicating the ratings. US8468055B2 (“Bennett“) | This text discloses presenting seller-specific information (prices, ratings) for the search results. | |
| The server returns the ranking to the consumer through the internet as a response to the consumer’s query. US8126779B2 (“Wanker“) | This discloses presenting the ranking results to the user | |
| The search results web page 112 can be developed to include hyperlinks to each of the various seller marketplace item web pages 111 satisfying the search criteria associated with the respective titles of the items, and/or icons 120 each providing a hyperlink to each respective seller marketplace item web page 111 associated with an item satisfying such search criteria ( 201). US8452691B2 (“Korth“) | This discloses presenting seller-specific information (seller marketplace item web pages) for the search results that satisfy the criteria |
Appendix: List of All Reviewed References (994 references analyzed)
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