Abstract:
A retail front-end experience for the user with a multi-seller back-end. A product is displayed on a webpage, and if the user views it, the software automatically selects at least one best supplier for each item and condition (new, used, etc.) for that user, and then displays the one specific price from only those vendors. The price includes the shipping costs from that vendor&#39;s location to the user&#39;s location. Thus, the back end is hidden from the user—the user is not forced to choose from a list of vendors. The software selects the best vendor based on a variety of criteria, such as item selection (condition, price and version), the geographic closeness of the vendor (reduced shipping costs and/or reduced shipping speed), the reliability rating of the vendor (responsiveness, product description accuracy, etc.).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Related applications are Ser. No. ______, entitled “System and Method for Dynamic Product Pricing” [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000200US]; Ser. No. ______, “Software System for Decentralizing eCommerce with Single Page Buy,” [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000300US]; Ser. No. ______, “3D Product Display on Internet with Content or Transaction Data on Back of Image” [Attorney Docket No. 027050-000400US]; Ser. No. ______, “Product Distribution System and Method Thereof” [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000500US]; Ser. No. ______, “System and Method for Providing Real-Time Search Results on Merchandise,” [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000600US]; Ser. No. ______, “System and Method for Integrated Payment and Shipping Information,” [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000700US]; all filed even date herewith. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a graphical user interface (GUI) for a website selling products or services over the Internet, and in particular to websites offering products or services from multiple vendors. 
         [0003]    Many websites, such as Shopping.com, provide products which are displayed on a single page, with the user being able to click to get to different suppliers for that product (such as new and used 3rd party book suppliers). eBay or Amazon Marketplace, in contrast, list the same item many times, with each supplier having a posting on a separate page. 
         [0004]    Amazon Technologies Inc. US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0144052 shows the Amazon display of multiple sellers of an item. The system described identifies those sellers (1) that are offering the item for sale, (2) whose availability level for the selected item exceeds a predetermined availability threshold, and (3) that have a seller score relating to a number of different items offered for sale by the seller that exceeds a predetermined score threshold. 
         [0005]    Catalog City U.S. Pat. No. 7,197,475 is an example of a multi-vendor Internet site. It describes sharing certain facilities among multiple vendors (consumer database, shopping cart facility, checkout facility, etc.). IBM US Patent Application Publication No. 20030023499 describes an automated purchasing system over the Internet which compares products from multiple vendors and automatically selects one. The criteria for selecting can include price, vendor reputation (such as fulfillment history) and shipping times and costs. Deja.com US Patent Application Publication No. 20020107861 is another example of a website that displays a product and includes a list of multiple vendors offering that product using scraper technology. Neomedia Technologies US Patent Application Publication No. 20010054008 describes a system where a user inputs a list of products by entering their bar codes, and a vendor is selected based on criteria such as the number of products on the list available from the vendor, price, proximity to the vendor, availability of delivery, whether the products are in stock, wrapping availability, shipping availability, tracking availability, and a loyalty program. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a retail front-end experience for the user with a multi-seller back-end. A product is displayed on a webpage, and if the user views it, the software automatically selects at least one best supplier for each item and condition (new, used, etc.) for that user, and then displays the one specific price from only those vendors. The price includes the shipping costs from that vendor&#39;s location to the user&#39;s location. Thus, the back end is hidden from the user—the user is not forced to choose from a list of vendors. The software selects the best vendor based on a variety of criteria, such as item selection (condition, price and version), the geographic closeness of the vendor (reduced shipping costs and/or improved shipping speed), the reliability rating of the vendor (responsiveness, product description accuracy, etc.). 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention optimize as many factors as possible for a buyer to have a simplified buying experience. The “best” vendor is selected by balancing the lowest item price, the lowest cost and fastest shipping (seller) location and highest seller reliability rating. These are calculated without visibility to the user. Thus, a multi-seller site appears to be a normal retail site to the user. The user is simply buying a certain product from that site, without having to select or worry about which seller is providing it. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides the advantage of simplifying the selection among multiple vendors. At the same time, it preserves the user&#39;s ability to decide between specific items and specific item conditions, and in one embodiment makes that decision easy to execute with a one page buy window. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a user interface according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows the diagram of  FIG. 1  modified with a drop-down list according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the selection and presentation of a single product offered by multiple vendors upon the selection of a product in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows the diagram of  FIG. 3  altered to show a buyer receipt upon clicking of a buy button by a user. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of an overall system supporting the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     User Interface 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a user interface for search query results according to one embodiment of the invention. The interface, prior to any user input, includes a text input box  102  (note there is no search click button as in prior art systems). A window  108  shows artwork for multiple products which glide across in a stream. Buttons  119  allows user selection of what genre or category of products is shown in window  108 . 
         [0015]    As an end user enters a search query, a dropdown list  106  appears as shown in  FIG. 2  (alternately, other methods of displaying results could be used). The dropdown list includes search results. The letters or words typed by the user are highlighted. 
         [0016]    The user can select an item from the drop down list. Alternately, a separate click button could be provided. Once the user clicks, a window  104  is brought up, as shown in  FIG. 3 , displaying the product along with information allowing the user to buy. Alternately, the user can click on one of the images in scrolling window  108  to bring up window  104 . 
         [0017]    Alternately, instead of a window  108  with multiple products, a single static ad could be clicked on to bring up window  104 , or even just text with the product name in an article, blog, etc. Although the selected product is offered by multiple vendors, this information is hidden from the user, with an ideal vendor for that user being automatically selected. In one embodiment, a set of suitable vendors are automatically selected, and upon purchase (buy button clicked) the final, best vendor is chosen. A single, common product presentation is provided (rather than having separate product presentations for each vendor). 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates window  104  showing more information on a selected product which has been clicked on. Window  104  includes artwork  103  and product description  112 , including a version  107 . Alternate versions are represented by smaller images  101  and  105 . Upon clicking on either image  101  or  105 , that version will replace image  103 , as well as making appropriate changes to the text  112  (such as changing the version reference  107 ). In addition, the pricing information is changed as discussed below. Window  104  can show one product, or a number of versions or conditions of product. 
         [0019]    The example of  FIG. 3  shows 3 versions, and 3 conditions for each version. The user thus has the option of buying a new DVD  109  (or book or other product), a used DVD in excellent condition  111 , or a used DVD in good condition  113 . Thus, a single seller is selected for each stock keeping unit (SKU) and each condition category for that SKU. The 3 versions and 3 conditions give 9 combinations, and there could be from one to thousands of sellers for each combination. For purposes of simplicity and quality of the user experience, poor condition products are not displayed. Alternate embodiments may provide more options for the user, such as more degrees of product condition, or different ranges of prices or different seller reliability. 
         [0020]    Each product is listed with price information  114 . The price information includes the shipping costs. The shipping cost is calculated based on the dimensions and weight of the product, the address of the seller, and the address of the buyer. Because both seller and buyer information is stored, it is available at the time the user clicks on the product, and the calculation is run before window  104  is displayed. In one embodiment, a particular seller is not selected until the user decides to buy; the software simply determines if there is at least one seller available with the right and/or lowest product price and a sufficient reliability rating and a best shipping cost/speed. 
         [0021]    If the windows are on the system server, a local database can be used. If the windows are on a 3rd-party computer or device, the information is pushed over the Internet from the database to the window. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the product is offered by multiple sellers. The price information is calculated by first determining that there is at least one appropriate seller using a number of factors, including seller reliability, item price and seller proximity to the user, to select a seller with the right item price, low shipping costs and high responsiveness and reliability. The price  114  reflects the offer price and shipping price for such appropriate sellers. In one embodiment, an actual seller is not picked until a buyer makes a buy decision. The software merely determines that there are one or more sellers who can supply the product at the price and shipping costs displayed. 
         [0023]    If the user changes the version displayed by clicking on images  101  or  105 , the determination of available sellers and shipping costs is re-done, and the pricing information  114  may change. 
         [0024]    Additionally, since the buyer information is available, the buyer preferred payment information  116  is displayed, in this instance the last digits of a credit card. Alternately, if sufficient funds are available in the buyer&#39;s online account, that account will be used first, and the name of the account and/or the available balance may be displayed instead of, or in addition to, the credit card information. For example, both the online account and credit card may be used if there are insufficient funds in the online account. For a further description of how the online account works, reference is made to co-pending, co-owned application Ser. No. ______, “System and Method for Integrated Payment and Shipping Information,” [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000700US]; filed even date herewith and hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0025]    Also, if the buyer has registered and is logged in, the buyer&#39;s preferred shipping address  118  is displayed for the buyer to see. Thus, no matter what site the buyer is browsing on, the buyer information is readily available. If the buyer agrees, the buyer can initiate what is truly a single click, or a single page, buy. This is done by clicking on one of buy buttons  120 . If the buyer instead wants to select a different payment mechanism or shipping address, the buyer can click on payment information  116  or address  118  to bring up other options the buyer has previously entered, and a form for entering new data. If the buyer enters a different shipping address, the shipping costs and/or seller selection may be re-calculated. 
         [0026]    Once the user clicks a buy button  120 , the product pricing information is replaced by a receipt  121  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The receipt includes a date stamp  124 , the pricing  126  for the selected option, and the payment information  116 . The receipt may, in alternate embodiments, also include the version and condition selected. Alternately, instead of or in addition to date stamp  124 , an estimated delivery time may be displayed. If the user doesn&#39;t like the delivery time, the user can choose a different, perhaps more expensive, delivery option, such as by clicking on the delivery date. The payment information can include an apportionment between the buyer&#39;s online account and a credit card or other external payment instrument. At the same time, an email with the same information is sent to the user&#39;s registered email address, along with an estimated delivery date. In an alternate embodiment, tracking information and an estimated shipping date could be provided to the user. However, to keep the user experience simple, only the delivery date may be shown, with tracking done without requiring user involvement. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, user preferences are stored, including a preferred shipping speed and cost. Some users may prefer cheaper shipping costs as a default with longer shipping time. Other users may prefer quicker, more costly shipping. This preference data can be stored explicitly, by the user entering the data. Alternately, the preference can be determined implicitly, by inferring the preference from the user behavior. If the user always selects the quicker, more expensive delivery, the preference can be changed to that. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, if a user hasn&#39;t logged in, the user address is not known because it is stored on the remote server&#39;s database. In such a case, a shipping speed and cost that will reach anywhere in the service area is used. Once the user selects the buy option, the user will be prompted to log in so that user address information can be obtained, and an accurate shipping speed and cost calculated and displayed. 
         [0029]    When the user clicks the buy button, one of the available sellers is selected. That seller is sent a pre-addressed, stamped mailer with a tracking bar code or other tracking data. The seller is also sent an email at the seller&#39;s registered email address advising of the sale, and that the mailer is being sent. More details on the generation and tracking of the mailer is set forth in co-pending, co-owned patent application Ser. No. ______, “Product Distribution System and Method Thereof” [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000500US], filed even date herewith, and hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, a “no-packaging” option is displayed. This is particularly useful for DVDs, CDs and other disc products, where only the bare disc can be sent, without the packaging and its cover art. Since most damage occurs to the packaging, a seller can list a product as being in excellent condition without the packaging, whereas with the packaging it would have to be listed as merely good. The user benefits as well. Since the risk of mis-described condition lies mostly with the condition of the packaging, the no-packaging option is more likely to have a correct description. Additionally, the shipping costs may be less. If the buyer selects such an option, the sellers are recalculated along with the shipping costs. In one option, the mailer includes an insert to go with the unpackaged disk inserted by the seller. The insert can be a song list, liner notes, collateral (marking materials), etc. 
       System 
       [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a system supporting the present invention. A server  201  hosting the multi-vendor website is connected to a network  203  (e.g., the Internet). Also connected to the Internet is a 3rd party vendor  204  which may list products for sale, barter, rent, or for cataloging purposes, with a link to the data on the multi-vendor website. Finally, a user computer  205  is shown connected to the Internet, for browsing either the multi-vendor or 3rd party website. 
         [0032]    The server  201  is configured to provide the interface of  FIG. 1  with a display of products, and react to user actions. The server  201  may be implemented using multiple computing devices. A database  202  stores data on both vendors and users. In one embodiment, database  202  is directly connected to server  201 . In another embodiment, database  202  includes multiple storage devices that are accessible over network  203  or another network. 
         [0033]    During a search process, a partially completed search query is entered through the user interface at one of the user terminals. The search query is sent to the server  201  through the network  203 . The server  201  determines what results to show based on the partially completed search query, the user profile, search pattern, search query rank, and other factors as well. 
       Vendor Selection Algorithm 
       [0034]    A user (buyer or seller or both) first registers on the multi-vendor website, providing address information and billing information, such as a credit card number. Sellers also provide other information, such as a bank account to send payments to. When a user clicks on a product, the software first does a primary sort to find all vendors at the lowest price. The software then accesses the user&#39;s address information, and determines the closest vendors for the product selected at the right price with high reliability and that optimize shipping speed and cost (such as by being located nearby). Vendors are considered equally close if the shipping times and shipping costs would be the same, regardless of whether one vendor is actually geographically closer to the customer. In addition, the system tracks seller history, and may know that a seller farther away typically ships earlier than a closer seller, thus offsetting the additional shipping time 
         [0035]    The ratings of the closest vendors at the same item price are then compared. In particular, the vendor with the best rating for responsiveness and accuracy of product description and with the best shipping time and cost is selected. If multiple eligible vendors have the same rating, one can be selected according to a round-robin or other method. One other method of selecting vendors is based on a weighted algorithm taking into account the number of transactions that seller has handled, the tenure of the seller on the site, and other factors. 
         [0036]    Vendor ratings include data on the vendor&#39;s record of (1) responsiveness, (2) accuracy of description of products and (3) accuracy of shipment. The responsiveness can be automatically tracked with the shipping mailers as described above. The accuracy can be assumed in the absence of buyer complaints. The buyer has the option to provide feedback on whether the product was the right model, condition, etc. The vendor rating in one embodiment is R (rating)=A*(responsiveness)+B*(accuracy of description), where A and B are weighting variables that can be constants or exponential or other variables themselves. Other factors can be added, multiplied or otherwise factored into the algorithm, including how recently the seller has had activity (time to most recent transaction), the number of transactions by that seller, site tenure, the type of transactions of that seller, and whether the seller is also a buyer. 
         [0037]    When the list of eligible vendors is selected, the shipping cost from the known vendor location to the known customer location is calculated. The product dimensions and weight are also known, as well as the best shipping method. All these calculations are done before the product information is even displayed to the user after clicking on the product image (except that the system determines that at least one vendor is available at that shipping price, but doesn&#39;t necessarily select the exact vendor until after the user clicks the buy button). Thus, the user will see the item price and shipping costs for the selected vendor, with the vendor selection happening in the background opaque to the user, simplifying the user experience. 
       Speed of Data Acquisition 
       [0038]    In one embodiment, the present invention is able to determine an appropriate vendor in time to display that vendor to the customer without a noticeable delay. This is accomplished through a number of techniques. First, as soon as the customer&#39;s browser accesses the multi-vendor website, either directly or through an ad link from a third party site, a cookie on the user&#39;s computer is read to determine the user identity. If the user is already registered, and logs in to the multi-vendor server, the payment and shipping address data is retrieved from the remote multi-vendor server. Alternately, payment and shipping data could be stored on the customer computer, with appropriate techniques used to identify the correct user for shared computers. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the time-sensitive data (like market price, vendor availability, etc.) is updated using a Comet software program or similar program. Comet enables web servers to send data to the browser without the need by the browser to continually re-request it. It allows creation of event-driven web applications, enabling real-time interaction in a browser. An open connection is established by the browser with the server allowing the server to update data on the client in real time. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the item price (DVD price) is updated in real time so the user will always get the best price. If the user decides to change the genre by selecting a genre button at the bottom of the page (action, comedy, etc.), new ads for just that genre will be provided in real time by pushing them to the browser. Other data does not change, minimizing the bandwidth requirements. For example, the cover art, description, version, buy buttons, etc. should usually be stable, almost never changing. The price is calculated for the buyer before it is displayed, so it also would usually not change, unless the buyer leaves the window open for some time and the market price changes while the window is open. For a further description of the market price, see co-owned application Ser. No. ______, filed even date herewith, entitled “System and Method for Dynamic Product Pricing” [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000200US], the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
       User Preferences 
       [0040]    In one embodiment, the process of selection of the best vendor can employ user preference data. For example, when the user registers, the user can express a preference for new vs. used books, or hardcover vs. paperback. That information can be used not only to determine what vendor to select, but what product to display in scroll windows for the user. A user can also express a default preference for quicker shipping time over low shipping costs and/or seller reliability (which can be overridden at purchase time). This user preference can be explicitly stated or implicitly inferred from user actions. As noted above with respect to  FIG. 1 , genre selection buttons  119  allow a user to express a preference. For example, with respect to DVDs, the user can express a preference for comedies instead of horror movies. Multiple genres or categories can be selected at the same time. The display can also be tailored to a user with the use of collaborative filtering. The user history of what the user has sold, bought, searched, etc. can be used to select products likely to be of interest to the user to display. 
         [0041]    It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims. For example, while one described embodiment includes tracking of vendor responsiveness by the multi-vendor server, the responsiveness could alternately be obtained from customer feedback. For another example, the products can be DVDs, CDs, video games, books, consumer electronics (i.e., PDAs, cell phones, etc.), jewelry, toys, software or any other product or service. The product or service can be bought, bartered for or rented. The embodiments can be applied to single or multi-vendor websites, and the vendors can be individuals, large corporations, small businesses, charities or any other organization. As used in the claims, the term “products” includes services. Therefore, the above description should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.