WO2008012601A2

WO2008012601A2 - System and method for altering the placement of a listing in a web-based list

Info

Publication number: WO2008012601A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/004298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rinat Salimov
Original assignee: SKYTIZ Ltd
Current assignee: SKYTIZ Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-27
Filing date: 2006-11-08
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-27
Also published as: WO2008012601A3

Abstract

Various systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed that facilitate the altering of the placement of a listing in a web-based list. A first embodiment may be construed as a method for altering the placement of a member's listing in a web-based list, said method comprising: receiving a request from an existing member to increase the priority of the member's listing; resetting a timestamp field of the listing to the current time; and when queried for, displaying a re-indexed list based upon at least a timestamp priority, wherein the re-indexed list includes the member's listing.

Description

SYSTEM ANB METHOD FOR ALTERING THE PLACEMENT OF A LISTING

IN A WEB-BASED LIST

FBELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to computer data and information systems accessed over the Internet, and more particularly, to listings-based web sites, such as search engines, personals, classifieds, and social networking sites.

BACKGROUND SECTION

[0002] Web sites that generate lists of information pertaining to a particular topic are some of the most visited sites on the Internet. Search engines generate lists of links to online documents that are related to keyword a user has typed into the search engine. Search engines use a complex, often confidential, algorithm for determining priority in a list. Online classified sites, such as "Craigslist", include a variety of lists pertaining to particular topics, such as available apartments for rent, goods and services for sale, and requests for roommates. These lists are generally listed in either alphabetical order or in order of when they were submitted to the site for posting. Online personals are another very popular web-based destination. Listings of people in a given city, for example, looking for others for companionship or a relationship are provided to the visitor of the site. Commonly, the list is presented using a predetermined hierarchy.

[0003] In each of these examples, it should come as no surprise that a premium is placed on having one's listing very early in the list, for they receive significantly more hits or traffic. So much so in the case of search engine results that a niche industry of "search engine optimization" consultants exist and offer the service of optimizing one's web site or web page to be better placed on the search engines. The goal being simply to be as high up on the list as possible. [0004] Personals web sites, such as "Cupid.com" and "Match.com" offer different levels of membership that include different levels of priority in their listings. Members will pay $20 to $30 a month for "premium" membership that provides the highest priority.

[0005] These two illustrations clearly show a value and willingness of consumers to pay for that value in attaining higher placement in listings. Disclosed herein is a novel approach to attaining a higher placement on a web-based listing.

SUMMARY

[0006] Various systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed that facilitate the altering of the placement of a listing in a web-based list. A first embodiment may be construed as a method for altering the placement of a member's listing in a web-based list, said method comprising: receiving a request from an existing member to increase the priority of the member's listing; resetting a timestamp field of the listing to the current time; and when queried for, displaying a re-indexed list based upon at least a timestamp priority, wherein the re-indexed list includes the member's listing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 1 (Prior Art) is a block diagram illustrating prior art algorithms for determining listing priority for web-based lists. [0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing a web site that generates lists that can be updated in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0010] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of a method for altering the placement of a listing in a web-based list. [0011] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of a method for altering the placement of a listing in a web-based list. [0012] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a third embodiment of a method for altering the placement of a listing in a web-based list.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments maybe utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0014] Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self- consistent sequence of acts leading to a desired result. The acts are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

[0015] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing" or "computing" or "calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

[0016] The present invention can be implemented by an apparatus for performing the operations described herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer, selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus.

[0017] The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the required method. For example, any of the methods according to the present invention can be implemented in hard-wired circuitry, by programming a general-purpose processor or by any combination of hardware and software. One of skill in the art will immediately appreciate that the invention can be practiced with computer system configurations other than those described below, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor- based or programmable consumer electronics, DSP devices, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below.

[0018] The methods of the invention may be implemented using computer software. If written in a programming language conforming to a recognized standard, sequences of instructions designed to implement the methods can be compiled for execution on a variety of hardware platforms and for interface to a variety of operating systems. Ih addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein. Furthermore, it is common in the art to speak of software, in one form or another (e.g., program, procedure, application...), as taking an action or causing a result. Such expressions are merely a shorthand way of saying that execution of the software by a computer causes the processor of the computer to perform an action or produce a result.

[0019] It is to be understood that various terms and techniques are used by those knowledgeable in the art to describe communications, protocols, applications, implementations, mechanisms, etc. One such technique is the description of an implementation of a technique in terms of an algorithm or mathematical expression. That is, while the technique may be, for example, implemented as executing code on a computer, the expression of that technique maybe more aptly and succinctly conveyed and communicated as a formula, algorithm, or mathematical expression. Thus, one skilled in the art would recognize a block denoting A+B=C as an additive function whose implementation in hardware and/or software would take two inputs (A and B) and produce a summation output (C). Thus, the use of formula, algorithm, or mathematical expression as descriptions is to be understood as having a physical embodiment in at least hardware and/or software (such as a computer system in which the techniques of the present invention may be practiced as well as implemented as an embodiment).

[0020] A machine-readable medium is understood to include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-readable medium includes read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.); etc.

[0021] One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as computer software incorporated as part of an online social networking system. The system operates with, a computer system using a Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, Linux or other operating system equipped with a Web browser application, or other Web-enabled device capable of connecting to the Internet or other network system. It should be noted that the term "Internet" is intended to encompass similar systems and nomenclature (i.e., World Wide Web or "www") comprising the capability to communicate and access information through a network, telephone connections, ISDN connections, DSL connections, cable modem, fiber optic network, etc. The present invention should not be limited in its communication nomenclature; the present invention is applicable to any system that is accessible by means of a Web browser, or other means of communicatively coupling one device or server to another.

[0022] Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated is a block diagram of prior art algorithms for determining listing priority for web-based lists. The algorithm illustrated in FIG. 1 is one of many different approaches to generating a priority index (I_n) for a web-based listing. It should be noted that this algorithm is fairly general and merely illustrated for means of discussion. A number of algorithms are more complex, more simplistic, and/or proprietary (ie., "Google's" indexing system).

[0023] A priority index (I_n) may be the result of a number of variables. In this case, those variables are a member's registration timestamp (T_n), a membership level (ML_n) (ie., "silver", "gold", "platinum.") and a member's activity level (AL_n). The specific relationship among the different variables in ultimately determining the priority index (I_n), can vary from one algorithm to another. For instance, membership level (ML_n) may be considered more important than activity level (AL_n), or vice-versa, thus weighted accordingly in the formula. [0024] An understanding of each variable is useful in discussing how each affect a listing's placement in a web-based list. First, a registration timestamp (T_n) is fairly straightforward. It simply marks the time in which the listing was created, either through registration of the member to the system or creation of the particular listing. Typically, the more recent a listing was created, the higher the priority index.

[0025] Membership level (ML_n) is usually tied to a number of privileges and typically comes with a fee, either monthly, yearly, or one time. Each membership level typically carries with it a different priority in the indexing.

[0026] Activity level (AL_n) has a bit of discretion built into it. How a system measures a member's activity dictates how this variable is to be used in the priority index. A member's activity may be monitored in time periods, such as weekly or monthly or may be determined by the last time the member was logged on the site. Generally, however, some component of activity is used in determining priority in a listing.

[0027] A number of other potential factors have been excluded from this exemplary algorithm. For example, Google and other search engines have a sophisticated algorithm for quantifying the actual content on a web page. This algorithm helps determine how relevant an entered keyword is to the content of the page. Another example is Google's Adwords, which is a paid for advertising system that incorporates a user's bid amount to determine the placement of a user's advertisement in a list of advertisements.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing a web site that generates lists that can be updated in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Merely for exemplary purposes, a system that provides for a personals web site has been illustrated. Such a system serves to facilitate individuals meeting other individuals for friendship or romantic interests. Generally, such a web site includes a listing of members that fits a particular search profile conducted by a present user of the system. For example, a male user may be interested in all female members within the age of 25-35 and within 50 miles of aparticular zip code. A list would then be generated of those members that fit these criteria. Such a system, and complementary web site, is merely for exemplary purposes. The embodiments of the invention can be implemented in other systems that target different markets, yet still work to generate listings of people, products, locations, items, etc.

[0029] As shown, FIG. 2 illustrates a computer system 25, including an application server 30 and image server 20. The computer system 25 is connected to a network 50, e.g., the Internet, and accessible over the network 50 by a plurality of user interfaces (60 and 80). A user interface shall be considered any device capable of communicating and interacting with the computer system 25 via the network 50 via either a wired and/or wireless communication link. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the commonly used term "Internet appliance" as another way to generically describe the various user interfaces (60 and 80). Non-limiting examples of user interfaces are desktop or laptop personal computers (PCs), hand-held PCs, PDAs, smartphones, and cellular telephones.

[0030] The application server 30 manages a member profile database 42, a relationship database 44, and a search database 46. The member profile database 42 contains profile information for each of the members in the system 25. The profile information may include, among other things: a unique member identifier, name, age, gender, location, hometown, contact information available to members in the community, references to image files, listing of interests, attributes, and past and current activities within which the member has been or is involved. [0031] The contents of the member profile database 42 are continuously indexed and optimized for search, and stored in the search database 46. The member profile database 42 and the search database 46 are updated to reflect inputs of new member information and edits of existing member information that are made through the user interfaces (60 and 80).

[0032] The application server 30 also receives and processes information exchange requests received from the remote user interfaces (60 and 80). An information exchange request may be a request to create a new member profile, a request to view an existing member profile, a request to search the database of existing member profiles, or a request to alter the placement of an existing member in a list to be generated from a search query. The application server 30 relies on the image server 20 to process certain CPU-intensive tasks required to display the data stored in the various databases 42 and 46 on the user interfaces (60 and 80).

[0033] Cellular radio tower 90 serves to deliver data between the system 25 (via the network 50) and a cellular-based user interface 80, such as a cellular telephone, smarrphone, or PDA. The particular communication scheme used to communicate between user interface device 80 and tower 90 are beyond the scope of this invention and generally such as "cellular communication" does not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

[0034] Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is an SMS aggregator 70, which is connected to the system 25 as well as the radio tower 90 (or more correctly the cellular phone service central office) via the network 50. A Short Message Service (SMS) aggregator is, typically, a third-party provider of content and billing delivery between an application provider, such as the system 25, and an end-user, such as a user of a cellular telephone 80. Premium SMS is a well-known technology that serves to deliver content to an SMS user and in return conveniently bill the user of such content via the user's cellular provider. The aggregator 70 serves to connect the various parties in a way that the delivery and payment of content is fairly seamless to an end user. For example, a cellular telephone user may see an advertisement for a new "ring-tone." In order to receive that ring-tone they must submit an SMS text message to a particular phone number or short code. The user, as informed by the advertisement, is aware that there is a fee for receiving the ring-tone. The request for the ring-tone gets sent from the user's cellular telephone and processed through the aggregator to the application provider. The application provider then delivers the ring-tone to the end-user's cellular telephone. The SMS aggregator, in turn, bills the user's cellular provider the fee. The cellular provider pays the fee to the aggregator, who forwards a portion of the fee along to the application provider. The end user would, in turn, be billed by his/her cellular telephone provider on the next monthly bill, for example.

[0035] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, and as further illustrated in subsequent flow charts, an existing member of the web site may wish to increase the placement of their profile in search results in order to receive greater visibility. The member can submit a Premium SMS to the system 25, via the aggregator 70, thereby requesting a re-placing of their profile. The system 25 can process the request and bill the existing member via the SMS aggregator 70. The following flow charts will illustrate a number of methods for enabling this unique and novel concept.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of a method 100 for altering the placement of a listing in a web-based list. As mentioned above, the web-based list maybe affiliated, for example, with a personals, a classifieds, or a search engine web site. As such, the listings may be personal profiles, goods or services, or web links, respectively.

[0037] The method 100 begins with a member performing a particular task to initiate or request that their listing be re-placed. Such a task may be, for example, submitting a premium SMS, submitting an email to a particular address, filling out a form on a web site, sending in a request via the mail, etc. (Step 110). Once the system receives the request, the member's listing's timestamp is reset to the current time (Step 120). As illustrated earlier with regard to FIG. 1, the index of a web-based listing very often depends, to some extent, on a timestamp of the listing. The timestamp may be when the listing was originally submitted or when the listing was last visited by another member, or when the listing was last edited by the posting member.

[0038] Once the timestamp is reset, the index of the listing can recalculated (Step 130). In taking into consideration the new timestamp, the member's listing position with the list will be altered. More than likely, the position will be improved (earlier in the list, for example), and perhaps may be the first listing in the list, depending on the priority algorithm implemented. The altered placement in the list is displayed upon the next relevant query (Step 140).

[0039] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment of a method 200 for altering the placement of a listing in a web-based list. The method 200 begins with the system receiving a Premium SMS from a user (Step 210). The Premium SMS may come from an existing member or a non-member. The existing member may be attempting to improve the placement of their own listing or another member's listing. In this embodiment, the Premium SMS would include a particular command code and an ID referencing the particular listing (ie., the member's profile name or a listing #). The command code would be something specific such as a specific text string, which serves as a means of validating the request. In this embodiment, the Premium SMS is delivered via an SMS aggregator (See FIG. 2).

[0040] Once received, the command code is verified to assure that the request is valid (Step 220). If valid, the referenced listing's timestamp is reset to the current time (Step 230) and the user is billed for the Premium SMS, via the SMS aggregator (Step 245).

[0041] The index of the listing is recalculated, similar to the method 100 of FIG. 3, using the updated timestamp (Step 240). The listing is displayed in the list upon the next relevant query (Step 250).

[0042] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a third embodiment of a method 300 for altering the placement of a listing in a web-based list. The method 300 is initiated when a member wishes to alter the placement of a particular listing and performs a particular task to do so (similar to the approaches taken in Step 110 of method 100, See FIG. 3). In performing one of these tasks, the member selects to be billed via Premium SMS (Step 310). The method 300 proceeds with the verification of the member's SMS billing information (Step 320). If the member's information is not on file, the method 300 proceeds with soliciting and receiving such information from the member (Step 325).

[0043] If the member's information is on file, the request is processed and the timestamp of the particular listing is reset to the current time (Step 330) and the member is billed via a Premium SMS (Step 345). This could occur in a number of approaches, such as by simply sending the charge to the cellular provider, via the SMS aggregator.

[0044] Once the timestamp is reset, the index of the listing is recalculated (Step 340) and the listing is displayed in an appropriate list upon the next relevant query (Step 350).

Claims

1. A method for altering the placement of a member's listing in a web-based list, said method comprising: receiving a request from an existing member to increase the priority of the member's listing; resetting a timestamp field of the listing to the current time; and when queried for, displaying a re-indexed list based upon at least a timestamp priority, wherein the re-indexed list includes the member's listing.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the request received from the existing member is a request to increase the priority of a listing of a member other than the existing member.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the request from the existing member further comprises: receiving a request via an SMS communication.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the SMS communication includes an identification number of the member's listing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request from the existing member further comprises: receiving a request via a submission on a web site.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the member's listing is a personal listing of the member.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the member's listing is a listing of an activity posted by the member.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: billing the existing member for altering the placement of a member's listing.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein billing the existing member further comprises: billing the existing member via a Premium SMS communication.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein billing the existing member further comprises: billing the cost of services to a pre-established telephone bill upon member authorization.