Computerized search technique, such as an internet-based gemstone search technique

Abstract

Methods and systems for searching through databases of items are described. In some cases, the system presents a display of searched items. The system may present a customizable interface of displayed search results, where a range of values displayed may be customizable. Further, the displayed attributes of searched items may be customizable. Other search and display functions are also disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a basic and suitable computer that may employ aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a simple, yet suitable system in which aspects of the invention may operate in a networked computer environment.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an alternative system to that of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is an example of a user interface component.

FIG. 4 is an example of how the system uses the user interface component of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an example of another user interface component.

FIG. 6 is an example of how the system uses the user interface component of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is an example of an alternative or additional user interface component to that of FIGS. 3 and 5.

FIG. 7B is an example of user interface components having user adjusted boundary values.

FIG. 8 is an example of another user interface component.

FIG. 9 is an example of the user interface component of FIG. 8 in an altered configuration.

FIG. 10 is an example of the user interface component of FIG. 8 in an altered configuration.

FIG. 11 is an example of the user interface component of FIG. 8 in an altered configuration.

FIG. 12 is an example of the user interface component of FIG. 8 in an altered configuration.

FIG. 13 is an example of a user interface component and an interface customization component.

FIG. 14 is an example of a user interface component and an interface customization component.

FIG. 15 is an example of the components of FIG. 13 and/or 14 in an altered configuration.

FIGS. 16A-16B are examples of the components of FIG. 13 and/or 14 in an altered configuration.

FIG. 17 is an example of an alternate display of the user interface components of FIGS. 13 and/or 14.

FIG. 18 is an example of a display interface.

FIG. 19 is an example of a row of the display interface of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an example of a column of the display interface of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is an example of a customizable display interface before customization.

FIG. 22 is an example of the customizable display interface of FIG. 21 and a user interface component.

FIG. 23 is an example of the customizable display interface and the user interface component in an altered configuration.

FIG. 24 is an example of the customizable display interface of FIG. 21 after customization.

FIG. 25 is an example of the customizable display interface of FIG. 21 and a user interface component.

FIG. 26 is an example of the customizable display interface of FIG. 21 and a selection of a column in the user interface component.

FIG. 27A is an example of the customizable display interface of FIG. 21 after customization.

FIG. 27B is an example of the customized display interface of FIG. 27A and an information display interface.

FIG. 28 is an example of an initial state of a customizable display interface.

FIG. 29 is an example of the customizable display interface of FIG. 28 showing additional information.

FIG. 30 is an example of the customizable display interface of FIG. 28 and a user interface component.

FIG. 31 is an example of a customized display interface.

FIGS. 32A-32B are examples of alternative customized display interfaces.

FIG. 33 is an example of a display interface showing help information.

FIGS. 34A-34C are examples of display interfaces displaying help and/or education information.

Claims

1. A method of searching through a database of multiple unique or rare items for purchase by way of a user computer connected to a public computer network, wherein the multiple items are all within a predetermined category, the method comprising: causing to be displayed to a user a menu of multiple attributes, wherein the database stores data elements associated with each of the multiple unique or rare items in the predetermined category, and wherein each data element includes associated data values for each of the multiple attributes that describe corresponding attributes of one of the unique or rare items;receiving a first user input selecting or deselecting at least one of the multiple attributes, wherein selecting one attribute causes a corresponding row or column of the data values associated with that attribute to be displayed, while deselecting the one attribute causes the corresponding row or column of the data values associated with that attribute to not be displayed;causing to be displayed a user adjustable range associated with searching the database for data elements associated with some of the multiple items in the predetermined category;receiving a second user input associated with the displayed user adjustable range; andcausing a display based on a search of the database to be made for some of the multiple items based on the second received user input, wherein the display includes certain rows and columns of the data values.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the multiple items in the predetermined category are gemstones, and wherein the multiple attributes include: color, size, shape, and price.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: causing to be displayed a menu of other user adjustable ranges, wherein the other user adjustable ranges are associated with some of the attributes;receiving another user input selecting one of the other user adjustable ranges, and,displaying another user adjustable range associated with searching the database, wherein the another user adjustable range is a slider user interface element.

4. A computer-readable medium storing instructions, which when implemented by a computer, perform a method of customizing a user interface that presents views of results of a search through a database of gemstones, wherein the database is connected to a user computer by way of a public computer network, the method comprising: causing to be displayed to a user via the user computer a first view of the results of the search, wherein the first view presents to the user gemstones satisfying criteria associated with the search;receiving a user input to generate a modified range of values of a characteristic associated with the results of the search, wherein the user input is provided to one of two user interface controls, wherein one of the user interface controls permits both input of alphanumeric data for at least one value in the range of values and displays an endpoint of the range of values, andwherein the other user interface control permits movement of a displayed control element, via a computer input device, to adjust at least one value in the range of values; andcausing to be displayed to the user via the user computer a second view of the results of the search based on the user input, wherein the second view presents to the user gemstones within the modified range inputted by the user.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the characteristic is related to size, cut, color, clarity, shape, or price of a gemstone.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the characteristic is related to polish, depth percentage, table percentage, culet, fluorescence, length to width ratio, or certification types, for a gemstone.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, further comprising: receiving a user selection to add or remove a characteristic associated with and displayed with the results of the search; andcausing to be displayed to the user via the user computer characteristic control components, wherein the user computer displays the characteristic control components desired by the user via the user selection and does not display the characteristic control components not desired by the user.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the other user interface component is a slider.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein at least one of the two user interface controls displays both outer range values in the range of values and permits user resetting of the range of values.

10. A computer-readable medium storing a display description and instructions for permitting a computer display device to display a user interface that presents results of a user-initiated search through a database of gemstones, wherein the database is connected to a user computer by way of a network, the user interface comprising: a results component that presents to the user gemstones returned by the search;an attributes component that presents to the user one or more attribute control interfaces, wherein each attribute control interface is associated with a gemstone attribute, and wherein each particular attribute control interface is configured to receive user input to change the user-initiated search through the database of gemstones based on a user-selected value for the one gemstone attribute to which the particular attribute control interface is associated; anda user-selectable button that presents an attributes selection component when selected by the user,wherein the attributes selection component displays a list of gemstone attributes for selection by the user, wherein further the user interface presents one or more attribute control interfaces selected by the user and does not present the attribute control interfaces not selected by the user.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the attribute control interfaces are sliders.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising: a help component that presents information related to helping a user modify at least one of the components of the user interface.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein each presented attribute control interface relates to an attribute of a gemstone, and wherein further each attribute control interface presents a range of values to be modified by the user.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the results component presents gemstones returned by the search that fall within the ranges of values presented by the attributes component.

15. A computer system for displaying results of a user-initiated search through a database of gemstones, wherein the database is connected to the computer by way of a public computer network, the system comprising: a display device;a user input device;a memory; anda processor coupled among the display device, user input device, memory, and the public computer network, wherein the processor executes instructions defining: a search component for permitting user-initiated search of the database, wherein each gemstone is associated with multiple attributes, and wherein the user-initiated search includes user-selection of at least one of the multiple attributes;a results component that presents to the user a list of gemstones provided by the user-initiated search, wherein the list of gemstones includes at least two attributes associated with each gemstone in the list, wherein the results component includes at least a remove attribute interface control that permits user-removal of one of the attributes displayed in the list of gemstones; anda display component that provides, in response to a signal from the user input device, a display of additional information associated with at least one gemstone, wherein the additional information includes the one removed attribute when that one attribute is not displayed in the list of gemstones.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the display component includes a switch to turn on or off the display of additional information.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the display of additional information appears as a display element over at least a portion of the list of gemstones.

18. A method to display results of searching through a database of multiple unique or rare items for purchase by way of a user computer connected to a public computer network, wherein the multiple items are all within a predetermined category, the method comprising: permitting user-initiated search of the database, wherein each unique or rare item is associated with multiple attributes, and wherein the user-initiated search includes user-selection of at least one of the multiple attributes;presenting to the user a list of unique or rare items provided by the user-initiated search, wherein the list of unique or rare items includes at least two attributes associated with each unique or rare item in the list,wherein the presenting includes at least an add attribute interface control that permits user-addition of one of the attributes displayed in the list of unique or rare items; andproviding, in response to user input, a display of additional information associated with at least one unique or rare item, wherein the additional information does not includes the one added attribute when that one added attribute is displayed in the list of unique or rare items.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the unique or rare items are gemstones, and wherein the display of additional information appears as a display element over at least a portion of the list of gemstones.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a reset button to set at least one attribute back to an initial value.