Patent Publication Number: US-8538836-B1

Title: Method and system for selecting and displaying items

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/694,675, filed Mar. 30, 2007, entitled “Method and System for Selecting and Displaying Items,” which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/540,933, filed Sep. 29, 2006, entitled “Method And System For Displaying Attributes Of Items Organized In A Searchable Hierarchical Structure,” both of which is are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for displaying items and, more particularly, to a method and system for facilitating item selection and for displaying items. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is now commonplace for consumers (or clients or customers or shoppers or buyers) to purchase goods or products from on-line (or e-commerce or Internet-based) retailers (or merchants). A large number of on-line retailers have set up on-line Internet web sites where consumers can shop for the products (or items or goods) that are available for sale, purchase the products desired and have the products delivered to them. These products may be tangible goods, such as groceries, books, CDs, DVDs, tools, clothes, footwear, health/beauty items, hardware, or any other tangible goods that are physically delivered to the customer, or “digital” goods, such as electronic books, music, movies/videos, application software, or any other digital product that is downloaded, copied, transmitted or otherwise electronically transferred to the customer. 
     To find a desired product to purchase, a customer will often perform a search using search tools available on a merchant website. The search results are typically displayed as a list of products that are related in some way to the search criteria. The customer then selects (or clicks on) a desired product in the list, which causes the website to display details of the selected product, including the product specifications, characteristics, features and/or images of the product. After reviewing the product details, the customer may either buy the product or return to the search results list to select another product to review. If there are two or more products that have similar features, the customer must typically either remember which product has which features, print out a copy of a feature list for each product being compared, or switch back and forth between product detail screens to compare the products. This comparison/selection process can be cumbersome and inefficient and often leads to buyer frustration that may greatly diminish the on-line shopping experience. Further, buyer frustration increases the likelihood that the customer may look to another on-line merchant as the source of products in the future. 
     Further, the search tools often include pull-down menus or other types of selection devices wherein one or more options are offered each pertaining to a certain feature of the products being reviewed. Typically, a user can select one of the available options thereby causing a display of the available products including only those products having the feature identified by the user selection. If the user decides he/she would like to look at those products having a second one of the selectable features, the product selection tool must again be used to select the option corresponding to the second feature whereby the display is updated to include only those available products having the second feature. To compare the products resulting from the searches having the first and second options respectively, a user would need to print out the various search results or flip back and forth between the windows corresponding to the respective searches. 
     Similarly, many currently used websites provide search tools directed to the price ranges of available products. Typically such price range selectors display a list of increasing/decreasing price ranges which are user selectable to review all of the available products in the selected price range. For example, price ranges selectors usually offer selectable ranges of prices such as: 0-$50, $50-$100, $100-$200, etc., or similar incrementally increasing or decreasing ranges of prices which are separately selectable. Thus, in this example, if a user wants to review all of the available products less than $200, he/she must separately select each of the above-identified options and separately review the products displayed in each price range in subsequently displayed windows. 
     Therefore, the current techniques for assisting on-line shoppers when various related items on a list need to be reviewed and compared can be inefficient, frustrating and lead to lost sales and loss of repeat business for the merchant. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a system or method for assisting shoppers that overcomes the limitations and inefficiencies of the conventional approaches, that among other potential benefits provides a more efficient way of displaying search results and/or makes it more convenient and efficient to purchase goods on-line when the customer desires to compare various products before making a purchase, thereby improving the on-line shopping experience with the on-line merchant. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for causing the display of a plurality of products for customer review and comparison is provided. The method including causing the display of a product selection tool including the display of a group of features associated with at least a portion of a plurality of available products, accepting a customer selection of two or more of the features, identifying a portion of the available products based on the customer selection, causing the display of an image of each of the products of the portion of the available products, and updating the display of the plurality of product selection tools including identifying the customer selections associated therewith. 
     For example, when customer Sally is shopping for women&#39;s shoes, a search results list returns 4,987 shoes displayable on 50 separate results web pages including 100 images per page. When Sally selects two of her favorite brands of women&#39;s shoes in a certain category such as sandals using a product selection tool, the search results are reduced to the number of sandals available in the two selected brands and the resulting images including those of both brands are displayed in a single window sorted in accordance with Sally&#39;s selected sort preferences or a default ordering if no selection is made. Thus, Sally can view images of both of the selected brands of shoes in the same display window. 
     In another aspect, the disclosed method includes causing the display of at least one sorting tool whereby a customer can select a sort preference for the displayed products. 
     Further, the disclosed method includes updating the display of at least one of a plurality of product selection tools according to the product characteristics of the portion of available products identified in response to a customer selection associated with another of the product selection tools. Thus, each time a portion of the available products is identified in response to a customer selection via one of the product selection tools, the display of all other product selection tools is updated corresponding to the selected products. 
     For example, if Sally selects only black and brown shoes using a color family selector tool, the brand menu is updated to indicate which brand names offer via the merchant website shoes in either black or brown. Thus, if the Adidas® brand shoes available do not include any styles of shoes available in either black or brown then the brand name menu will include the brand name Adidas® in phantom or otherwise identified as not available and Sally will not be able to select the brand name Adidas® when seeking black or brown shoes. Alternatively, if Sally first selects the brand name Adidas® in the brand menu, then the color family selector will be updated accordingly to indicate that black and brown shoes are not available. 
     The present disclosure provides a method and system for, among other benefits, efficiently displaying the availability of products and product features that meet the customer&#39;s needs. The disclosure allows the customer to select two or more features of a product type and view the resulting available products and product features in real time on the web page, without having to switch between separate web pages for each of the products or features. Further, the disclosure allows the customer to adjust the selection of features and see the availability of products having those features in real time. The user interface is easy to navigate and makes it easy to keep track of which items are being viewed and selected. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the components of a customer-merchant shopping system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of one embodiment of a product selection screen in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of another embodiment of a product selection screen in accordance with the present disclosure illustrating the display of a selected category of products available for purchase. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of another embodiment of a product selection screen in accordance with the present disclosure illustrating the display of a selected brand of products available for purchase. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of another embodiment of a product selection screen in accordance with the present disclosure illustrating the display of a plurality of selected brands of products available for purchase. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of one embodiment of a process for displaying a plurality of products for customer review and comparison in accordance with the system and method of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of one embodiment of a process for updating a product display and filter windows in response to customer selection and sort requests according to the system and method of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart of another embodiment of a process for displaying a plurality of products for customer review and comparison in accordance with the system and method of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the principal components of an embodiment of a customer-merchant on-line ordering system  8 , which includes a customer  10  (or consumer or client or shopper or buyer) and an on-line (or e-commerce or Internet-based) merchant (or supplier or retailer or seller or reseller or distributor)  20 . The customer  10  can be any entity or individual that wishes to review or purchase goods (or products) or services from the on-line merchant  20 . The customer  10  uses a web browser  12  running on a computer  14 . The merchant  20  is an entity that sells products from a merchant website  22  which is implemented using one or more physical computer servers  24 . The customer computer  14  is connected to or communicates with the merchant server  24  through a communications network  18 , such as the Internet, as indicated by lines  16 , by sending and receiving of digital data over the communications network  18 . The customer  10  uses the web browser  12  as a user interface to view and/or communicate with the merchant website  22  that is displayed on the customer computer  14  allowing the customer  10  to interact with the merchant website  22 . 
     In addition, one or more of the goods ordered by the customer  10  may be made by or obtained from one or more third party vendors (or manufacturers)  26 . Also, the merchant  20  may be the vendor  26 . The vendor  26  is an entity that manufactures goods or has access to goods that the merchant  20  desires to supply to the customer  10  and may sell the goods to the merchant  20  through a vendor website (or other type of order processor)  28 , which is implemented using one or more physical computer servers  30 . The vendor computer server  30  is connected to or communicates with the merchant server  24  and the customer computer  14 , through the communications network  18 , as indicated by lines  16 . If used by the merchant  20 , the vendor  26  may deliver the desired goods to either the merchant  20  or to the customer  10 , as indicated by the lines  32 , 34 , respectively. If the goods are delivered to the merchant  20  from the vendor  26 , the merchant  20  delivers the goods to the customer, as indicated by a line  32 . There may be more than one vendor  26  that supplies goods to the merchant  20  and/or the customer  10 . 
     The computers, servers, and the like described herein have the necessary electronics, software, memory, storage, databases, firmware, microprocessors, communication links, displays or other visual or audio user interfaces, printing devices, and any other input/output interfaces to perform the functions described herein and/or achieve the results described herein. 
     Except where otherwise explicitly or implicitly indicated herein, the term “merchant” or “vendor” refers to the associated computer systems operated or controlled by a merchant or vendor, respectively. Thus, process steps described as being performed by the “merchant” or the “vendor”, may be automated steps performed by their respective computer systems. These steps are implemented within software modules (or computer programs) executed by one or more general purpose computers. For example, the web browser (or user interface)  12  may be implemented on the computer  14  using one or more software applications. Specially designed hardware could alternatively be used to perform certain operations. Process steps described as being performed by a “customer” are typically performed by a human operator via the computer  14 , but could, alternatively, be performed by an automated agent. 
     The customer  10  may use any web-enabled or client-server based applications, such as the web browser  12 , or any other web-enabled applications or features including email, or other messaging techniques to communicate with (or connect to) the merchant web site  22  and/or server  24  through the communications network  18 . In addition, the computer  14  may be any of a number of computing devices that are capable of communicating over the network, including but not limited to set-top boxes, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, digital media players, Web pads, tablets, laptop computers, desktop computers, electronic book readers, game consoles, and the like. The protocols and components for providing communication between the customer computer  14  and the merchant website  22  and/or server  24  are well known to those skilled in the art of computer communications and thus, need not be described in more detail herein. 
     The data and/or computer executable instructions, programs, software and the like described herein may be stored on a computer-readable medium that is within or accessible by the customer computer  14  and/or the server  24 , having sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor (or CPU), cause the processor to perform all or a portion of the functions and/or methods described herein. Such computer executable instructions, programs, software and the like may be loaded into the memory of the customer computer  14  or the server  24 , using a drive mechanism associated with the computer readable medium, such as a floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, network interface, or the like. 
     In order to make purchases, the customer  10  typically browses through product information concerning goods (or products) or services available for purchase from the on-line merchant  20 . After selecting a product or products that the customer  10  wishes to purchase, a product order is sent to the merchant  20 . The product order is placed via a communication from the web browser  12  to the web site  22  operating on the server  24  of the merchant  20 , which includes payment by the customer  10  to the merchant  20  for the goods. The merchant  20  then delivers the goods to the customer  10  as indicated by the line  36 . Alternatively, the vendor  26  may deliver the goods directly to the customer  10  as indicated by the line  34 . 
     Although one common application, described herein, for selection of items involves selecting products for purchase, the embodiments described herein can be used for many other applications. For example, the items may be selected for the purpose of rental, subscription, viewing or some other form of consumption. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of a graphical user interface (GUI) for use by the customer  10  in selecting products for purchase from the merchant  20  via the web site  22  includes a product selection screen  50 . Generally, the product selection screen  50  includes a plurality of product buttons  52  which identify various types of products offered for sale on the web site  22 , a product search bar  54 , a filter window  56  and a display window  58 . In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, the filter window  56  and display window  58  are separate windows, however, in other embodiments of the present invention, the filter window and display window can be displayed in a common window. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the products featured on the website  22  and discussed with respect to the product selection screen  50  are women&#39;s shoes. However, the scope of the disclosure is not limited in this regard as the system and method of the present disclosure can be utilized in connection with the marketing and sales of many other types of products as will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. 
     The product buttons  52  each include the name or other indicia  60  identifying a type of product offered for sale on the website  22 . As shown in the  FIG. 2  embodiment, the product buttons  52  include the names “Women&#39;s Shoes”, “Men&#39;s Shoes”, and “Kids&#39; Shoes” respectively, which provide the indicia  60  thereon. The product buttons  52  are selectable by the customer  10  via a mouse click for displaying products of the designated type on product selection screens linked to the respective product buttons  52  which are similar to the product selection screen  50  featuring women&#39;s shoes. 
     The search bar  54  includes a pull-down menu  62  and text box  64  whereby the customer  10  can search the website  22  for the products offered thereon. Typically, the website  22  is searched for the type of product selected in the pull-down menu  62  based on specific features of a sought-after product identified using key words entered in the text box  64  by the customer  10  via the computer  14 . A “GO” button  66  is selectable via a mouse click to initiate the search once the key words have been entered. Although not shown in  FIG. 2 , the pull-down menu  62  identifies selectable product identifiers corresponding to each of the product types included in the product buttons  52 . Additionally, the pull-down menu  62  may include selectable product identifiers corresponding to various sub-sets of the products offered on the website  22  including “Sale” or “Clearance” products, as well as various holiday-related products, and other groups of products. 
     In a normal state, prior to a user-initiated search and/or product selection, the display window  58  includes a plurality of advertisement displays ( 68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ) wherein certain products or product types are featured via images and/or text. Typically, each advertisement display ( 68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ) includes a link  73  to an address (URL) of a page of the website  22  featuring the advertised products. 
     The advertisement display  74 , which is directed to a currently featured item, namely “Pumps” ( FIG. 2 ) includes a plurality of product images  76  and associated product descriptions  78  of various styles of “Pumps” offered for sale on the website  22 . Each of the product descriptions  78  typically defines a link  73  to the address (URL) of a page of the website  22  directed to the advertised product. The links  73  are normally identifiable via underlined or otherwise highlighted text or images either in a normal view of the advertisement display  74  or when a cursor (not shown) is pointed to or positioned adjacent a selected product image  76  or product description  78 . 
     Apart from the normal state, the display window  58  is dynamic and updated in real time in response to a product or brand selection, or a search criteria entry initiated by the customer  10 . The display window  58  and features thereof are discussed further herein following. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the filter window  56  includes a plurality of user interfaces including product selection tools  80  wherein a customer  10  can select and/or input search criteria or features related to a product or product type for narrowing a search of the products available for sale on the website  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the product selection tools  80  include: a category menu  82 ; a brand menu  84 ; a color family table  86 ; a size table  88 ; a width table  90 ; a heel height table  92 ; and a price range selector  94 . In other embodiments of the product selection screen  50 , the filter window  56  may include other search or sorting tools which are directed to features of a particular product or product type selected. 
     The interactive interfaces for the color, size and width attributes described herein are similar to that described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,998 filed Dec. 29, 2006, entitled “Method and Systems for Selecting Item Variations for Display in User Interfaces”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The category menu  82  includes a product type identifier  96  which displays the name corresponding to the type of product selected in the pull-down menu  62  and/or via the product buttons  52 . Following the product type identifier  96 , the category menu  82  includes an alphabetically arranged category list  98  of selectable category identifiers  100  corresponding to the designated product type. The category identifiers  100  are selectable individually via a mouse click whereby all products available on the website  22  in the selected category are displayed in the display window  58 . A user-operable category display button  102  is provided to turn on/off the display of the category list  98 . The category menu  82  also includes a “clear category” selector  104  which clears all selected category identifiers  100  upon operation thereof. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the various category identifiers  100  are selectable separately such that the display window  58  provides a product image  76  and/or product description  78  for each of the products available on the website  22  in the identified category. Alternatively, the various category identifiers  100  can be selected in combination, wherein more than one of the category identifiers  100  are selectable such that the display window  58  includes a product image  76  and/or product description  78  for each of the products available on the website  22  in each of the categories selected. According to some embodiments, unless sorted otherwise, the product images  76  and/or product descriptions  78  for a next category are displayed on the display window  50  in one or more horizontal rows following one or more horizontal rows of product images  76  and product descriptions  78  of the products in a prior category wherein the categories are displayed in the order they appear in the category list  98 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , upon selection of a category identifier  100  (e.g., Mules &amp; Clogs) both of the filter window  56  and display window  58  of  FIG. 2  are updated in real time to reflect the current selections. For example, in the  FIG. 3  embodiment, each of the filter window  56 A and display window  58 A have been updated to reflect the category selected, namely “Mules &amp; Clogs”. Upon selection of the Mules &amp; Clogs category identifier, the server  24  accesses a product database on the merchant server for women&#39;s shoes that are available for purchase from the merchant website  22  and sorts the same returning only those women&#39;s shoes which are classifiable as either mules or clogs. 
     The updated display window  58 A includes a product image  76  and product description  78  for each of the shoes identified in the search including all women&#39;s shoes included on the website  22  which are classifiable as a “mule” or “clog”. The display window  58 A also provides a sort bar  112  including a pull-down menu  114  whereby a customer  10  can select the order in which the displayed products are arranged. For example, in one embodiment, the pull-down menu  114  includes the selections: “Featured”, “Best selling”, Newest arrivals”, “Price: high to low”, and “Price: low to high”. Thus, the displayed results can be arranged in a customer defined order directly from the display window  58 A using the sort bar  112 . 
     Additionally, the display window  58 A includes a filter bar  116  wherein a customer  10  can limit the results displayed by selecting a sort button such as “show only—sale items” button  118  or “show only—newest arrivals” at button  120  directly from the display window  58 A. In other embodiments of the display window  58 A, the filter bar  116  can include sort buttons for other sort criteria wherein a customer  10  can limit the results to those products he/she is most interested in viewing. 
     As set forth above, the display window  58 A is dynamic and updated in real time upon a user selection of one of the product search tools  80  disposed in the filter window  56 A as well as any of the sort or filter controls provided in the display window  58 A. For example, upon selection of the “Best selling” selection in the sort bar  112 , the display window  58 A is automatically updated to re-order the displayed shoes based on the number of pairs sold for each style of shoes in the selected group. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the updated filter window  56 A displays the product type identifier  96 , namely “Women&#39;s Shoes” as well as the selected category identifier  100 , namely, “Mules &amp; Clogs”. Additionally, a subcategory list  106  is displayed including an alphabetical list of subcategory identifiers  108 . In the illustrated example, the subcategory identifiers  108  describe various types of mules and clogs such as “casual mules”, “dress mules”, etc. Each of the subcategory identifiers  108  includes an associated selection box  110  disposed adjacent thereto. The subcategory identifiers  108  are each user-selectable via a mouse click using the associated selection box  110  or by designating a selected one of the subcategory identifiers  108  using a mouse pointer (not shown) and subsequent mouse click via the computer  14  as is well known in the art. One or more of the subcategory identifiers  108  are selectable for displaying only the women&#39;s shoes in the selected subcategories in the display window  58 A. Upon selection of a subcategory identifier  108 , the filter window  56 A and display window  58 A are updated in real time to reflect the selections made. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the brand menu  84  identifies certain brand names  126  shown in phantom or a lighter font such as the brand name  126 A, namely, “ALL BLACK” indicating the brand as not selectable since there are no “Mules &amp; Clogs” available through the web site  22  sold under the brand name “ALL BLACK”. Upon customer selection of any of the product attributes or features provided via the product selection tools  80  to narrow a search of the products available through the web site  22 , the remaining product search tools  80  and sorting tools are similarly updated in accordance with the customer selection(s) and the products available. For example, if a customer  10 , sets the price range selector  94  to search for shoes having a maximum cost of $100, and all of the AK Anne Klein shoes available through the web site  22  have a retail or sale price more than $100, then the brand menu  84  will be updated in real time in response to the customers price range selection, to display the brand name  126  for “AK Anne Klein” in phantom or light font so that the customer  10  cannot select this brand and knows that AK Anne Klein brand shoes are not available for a cost of $100 or less. Additionally, the display window is also updated in real time to display only those shoes available through the web site  22  that have a retail or sale price of $100 or less. All of the remaining product selection tools  80  are similarly updated in accordance with the customer selection via the price range selector  94  and any other customer selections. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the brand menu  84  includes a brand name list  124  including an alphabetical listing of each of the brand names  126  of women&#39;s shoes available on the website  22 . A selection box  110  disposed adjacent each brand name  126  in the brand name list  124  is selectable via a mouse click to identify the brands of shoes to be displayed in the display window  58 . Alternatively, using a mouse pointer (not shown) operable via the computer  14 , the customer  10  can select a brand name  126  included in the brand name list  124  by directing the mouse directly on the brand name  126  icon and clicking on the same. To deselect a selected brand name  126 , a second mouse click on the selection box  110  or brand name  126  icon will deselect the brand and cause the display window  58  and filter window  56  to be updated accordingly. 
     Additionally, the brand menu includes a selected brands list  128  which displays an alphabetically arranged list of those brand names  126  which have been selected and currently displayed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the selected brands list  128  displays the terms “Viewing all brands” as no brand names  126  have been selected. 
     Upon selection of a brand name  126  to be displayed, both the filter window  56  and display window  58  are updated in real time to reflect the customer selections made via one of the search tools  80  or the sort tools provided in the display window  58 . For example, if a user selects the brand “adidas” for the product type “Women&#39;s shoes” and no other search criteria has been entered, the server  24  controls the display window  58  to display all styles of women&#39;s shoes which carry the Adidas® label and are available on the website  22 . The selected brand list  128  would also be updated simultaneously with the filter window  56  to identify only the selected brand Adidas®. 
     One convenient feature of the brand menu  84  is that a customer  10  can select more than one brand name  126  whereby only the selected brands of shoes are displayed simultaneously in the display window  58  and the corresponding products comparable via the display window. For example, if a customer  10  is interested in shoes of only certain brands such as “A. Marinelli” and “AK Anne Klein”, then the brand name  126  corresponding to each of these brands can be selected in the brand menu  84  and the designated products viewed simultaneously in the display window  58 . The displayed product images  76  and associated product descriptions  78  can be arranged in accordance with the various product search tools  80  and/or other sort tools available via the display window  58 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , upon selection of one or more brand names  126  via the brand menu  84  the display window  58  is updated to include a standard view/brand view toggle  129  whereby the display window can be switched via a mouse click by the customer  10  between a standard view and a brand view. In the brand view, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the product images  76  and product descriptions  78  are arranged in the display window  58  sorted by the brand names  126 . Whereas, in the standard view (See  FIG. 2 ) all of the selected product images  76  and associated product descriptions  78  are grouped together, regardless of the brand. A brand logo  131  is also displayed above the product images  76  corresponding to each of the displayed brands. Also included in the display window  58  near each brand logo  131  is an associated “shop this brand” icon  133  which is user selectable to update the display window  58  to display only products of the selected brand name  126 . Thus, selection of one of the “shop this brand” icons  133  causes the brand menu  84  to clear all selected brand names  126  except the brand name corresponding to the selected “shop this brand” icon. Accordingly, the filter window  56  and display window  58  are refreshed and updated in real time to reflect the revised brand name selection. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , if there are more than a predetermined maximum number of images in a selected portion of the available products to be displayed, e.g., three, in the viewer  135  (e.g., there are more than three products identified in the Bandolino® brand), left and right scroll buttons  137 ,  139 , respectively, are displayed in the display window  58  for customer operation of the viewer  135 . The maximum number of images in the viewer  135  may be any desired number, depending in part on the size of the product images  76 . For example, when the customer  10  selects (clicks on) the right scroll button  139 , the images  76 A- 76 C would normally scroll (or index or shift) to adjacent positions to the right, e.g., the image  76 C disappears, the image  76 B moves to the position  143  (previously occupied by image  76 C), the image  76 A moves to the position  143 , and a new image (not shown) appears in the position  141 . When the first of image (e.g.,  76 A) of a resulting search is displayed in the first position  141  of the viewer  135 , (as is the case in the illustrated example) the images  76 A- 76 C do not move to the right, as the viewer  135  includes the first image of the search results in the first viewer position, i.e. position  141 . Accordingly, the left scroll button  139  appears in phantom and is not selectable in this position. 
     Similarly, if the customer  10  clicks on the left scroll button  137 , the images  76 A- 76 C all scroll (or index) to the adjacent positions to the left, i.e., the image  76 A disappears, the image  76 B moves to the position  141  (previously occupied by the image  76 A), the image  76 C moves to the position  143 , and a new image (not shown), indicative of the next product in the results list (i.e. product no. 4 of 25), appears in the position  145 . When the last item on the list is displayed in the last position  145  of the viewer  135 , the images  76 A- 76 C do not move to the left, as the viewer  135  is at the bottom of the list. Instead of an index-type scroll described above where there are preset positions for each image, a smooth or continuous scroll may be used, in which case there are no fixed positions for the images  76 A- 76  C in the viewer  135  and the images  76 A- 76 C scroll continuously across the viewer window  135  in the desired direction based on the selection of the scroll buttons  137 ,  139 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the color family table  86  provides a plurality of individually selectable color icons  130  each bearing a color representative of a color of a women&#39;s shoe available via the website  22 . Thus, the color family table  86  provides one of the product search tools  80  whereby the products available on the website  22  can be searched by color. Multiple color icons  130  represent various multi-colored and color combinations of products available. Each of the color icons  130  are selectable for displaying the available products of the selected color or multi-color via the display window  58 . One or more of the color icons  130  can be selected wherein the display window  58  is updated to display all of the selected products available on the website  22  which are of the colors selected via the color icons  130 . For example, if a customer  10  is only interested in brown or black shoes, then the color icons  130  corresponding to both brown and black can be selected whereby the display window  58  is updated in real time to display only shoes which are brown and black and meet any other criteria identified in conjunction with the other product search tools  80  and/or the sort tools provided via the display window. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the color family table  86  interacts in real time with the other product search tools  80  and sort tools available via the display window  58 . Thus, once other search criteria has been selected, the color family table  86  is updated in the filter window  56  to reflect the colors of shoes available corresponding to any customer selections or sort criteria entered. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the second row of color icons  130  identified in the color family table  86 A with the reference numeral  132  each include only a portion of a color block indicating that the corresponding colors are unavailable in the selected category, namely, Mules &amp; Clogs. In other embodiments of the color family table  86 , the colors icons  130  can be identified in various other ways to indicate whether or not a corresponding color is available in the selected products. For example, the color icon  130  identifying a color not available in a selected product could be displayed with an X superimposed over the image of the color icon. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the size table  88  includes a plurality of size icons  134  each including a reference number indicative of a shoe size  136 . The size icons  134  are selectable individually or in any combination thereof to limit the products displayed on the display window  58  to those products available in at least one of the selected shoe sizes. The size icons  134  include an identifier to indicate the corresponding shoe size is unavailable via the website  22 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the size icon  134 A includes a shoe size “3” displayed in a different font than the shoe size “5.5” disposed in the size icon  134 B indicating the shoe size 3 is not available in the selected style(s) of shoes. Whereas the selected shoes are available in the shoe size 5.5. In other embodiments of the size table  88 , other means of identifying whether or not certain sizes of shoes are available in a selected style can be utilized including, for example, wherein the colors of the shoe sizes and/or size icons for the shoe sizes available versus unavailable are distinguishable therebetween. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the filter window  56  also provides a width table  90  which includes a plurality of width icons  140  each including a width identifier  142 . The width icons  140  are individually selectable by a customer  10  via a mouse click to limit the products displayed in the display window  58  to those which are available in at least one of the widths selected in the width table  90 . Upon selection of one or more of the width icons  140 , the display window  58  is automatically updated in real time to display only the products of the selected styles which are available in widths corresponding to any selected width icons  140 . Upon selection of a width icon  140  the width table  90  is updated to mark the selected width icon in some way such that the selected status thereof is distinguishable from an unselected width icon. A mouse click on a selected width icon  140  will deselect the width icon causing the display window  58  to be updated to reflect the revised width criteria selected. If none of the width icons  140  are selected the display window  58  will include all of the selected products available. 
     For example, if a customer  10  has is only interested in shoes which are available in an “A” or “B” width, the width table  90  can be utilized to select the width icons  140 A and  140 B corresponding to “A” and “B” widths respectively. Upon selection of the width icons  140 A and  140 B, the display window  58  is automatically updated to display only those product images  76  and associated product descriptions  78  corresponding to the selected styles of shoes which are available in at least one of the widths “A” and “B”. Once selected, the filter window  56  is updated to display the selected width icons  140 A and  140 B including an outline or some type of highlighting or mark so that the selected status thereof is distinguishable from those width icons  140  which have not been selected. 
     The width icons  140  also provide an indicator as to the availability of the selected products in the associated widths. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the width identifier  142 A is shown in an outlined font indicating that the width “4A” is not available for the selected shoes and the associated width icon  140  is not selectable. In other embodiments of the width table  90 , the entire width icon  140  is displayed in phantom or a lighter grey tone indicating that the corresponding width is not available for the selected shoes. As set forth above, the width icon  140  for unavailable widths is not selectable wherein a mouse click thereon will provide no result. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the heel height table  92  allows a customer  10  to limit the shoes displayed on the display window  58  to those having a heel height in one or more selected ranges. The heel height table  92  includes a plurality of individually selectable range identifiers  150  each having an associated selection box  110  corresponding thereto. In one preferred embodiment the ranges of heel heights are selectable via a mouse click directly on a desired range identifier  150  or by clicking the associated selection box  110 . In the illustrated example, the range identifiers  150  include the following ranges of shoe widths: under 1″; 1″-1¾″, 2″-2¾″; 3″-3¾″; and 4″ and over. Other ranges of shoe widths may be used. 
     Selection of one or more of the range identifiers  150  or an associated selection box  110  causes the display window  58  to be updated in real time to limit the displayed shoes to those available having the selected heel sizes. For example, if the range identifiers  150  for the ranges under 1″ and 1″-1¾″ are selected then the display window  58  will be updated in real time to display all of the selected shoes which are available having a heel height of 1¾″ and under. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the price range selector  94  includes a sliding scale  154  having a minimum price slider  156  and corresponding minimum price identifier  158  as well as a maximum price slider  160  and corresponding maximum price identifier  162 . The minimum and maximum price sliders  156 ,  160  are operable by a customer  10  via dragging the sliders with a mouse (not shown) coupled to the computer  14  to limit the shoes displayed on the display window  58  to those in a selected price range. For example, to display in the display window  58  only the selected shoes priced in a range between $50 and $150, a customer  10  moves the minimum price slider  156  towards the right side of the filter window  56  until the minimum price identifier  158  is set to $50. Similarly, the maximum price slider is moved towards the left side of the filter window  56  until the maximum price identifier is set to $150. Thus, as the minimum and maximum price sliders  156  and  160  are moved, the corresponding minimum and maximum price identifiers  158 ,  162  respectively are updated in real time. Additionally, in response to changing the price range selector  94  as set forth above, the display window is also updated in real time to include a product image  76  and/or product description  78  for only the selected products within the price range selected via the price range selector  94 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the price range selector  94  includes a minimum and maximum prices of $25 and $625 respectively indicative of the full range of price of all products currently displayed. Alternatively, the price range selector  94  can be adjusted with respect to the predetermined minimum and maximum prices in accordance with the prices of the products offered on the website  22 . 
     The product search tools  80  displayed in the filter window  56  as well as the sort tools  112  and  116  disposed on the display window  58 A are interactive one with the other such that the displays associated with each of the search and sort tools is updated in real time to reflect a selection made using any of the search or sort tools. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , if a customer selects the brand Adidas® in the brand menu  84 , the product search tools  80  in the filter window  56 B are updated in real time as follows:
         The category menu  82  is updated to identify in bold only those categories in which Adidas® brand shoes are available on the website  22  (e.g., The category identifiers  100 A: Athletic &amp; Outdoor;  100 B: Fashion Sneakers; and  100 C: Sandals; are each displayed in bold type). The remaining category identifiers are displayed in phantom or light text. Further, only the highlighted categories are user-selectable to further limit the products displayed on the display window  58 B.   The brand menu  82  is updated to identify in bold type only the brand name  126 A identifying the selected Adidas® brand. The selection box  110 A associated with the Adidas® brand is marked.   The selected brands list  128  is updated to include only the selected brand name, namely Adidas®.   The color family table  86  is updated to identify the colors of the Adidas® brand shoes available through the website  22 .   The size table  88  is updated to identify the sizes of the Adidas® brand shoes available through the website  22 .   The width table  90  is updated to identify the widths of the Adidas® brand shoes available through the website  22 .   The heel height table  92  is deleted from the filter window  56  as heel height is not applicable to any of the selected Adidas® brand shoes available through the website  22 .   The price range selector  94  is updated to identify the minimum and maximum prices of all of the Adidas® brand shoes available through the website  22 .       

     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , the display window  58 B is also updated in real time to reflect the selection of the Adidas® brand in the filter window  56  including:
         Updating the display window  58 B to include the product image  76  and product description  78  of each style of Adidas® brand shoes available through the website  22 .   Updating a results identifier  165  to indicate how many styles of Adidas® brand shoes are available through the website  22 .   Displaying the standard/brand view toggle  129 .       

     Accordingly, each time one of the product selection tools  80  or another sort tool is utilized by a customer  10  to initiate or narrow a product search, both of the filter window  56  and display window  58  are updated in real time to reflect the current search or sort criteria entered. There is no required order of use of the product selection tools  80 . For example, upon viewing the product selection screen  50 , a customer  10  can immediately utilize the brand menu  84  to select one or more brand of shoes he/she is interested in viewing and/or purchasing. In response, the filter window  56  is updated in real time to identify those brands selected; all other brand names are displayed in phantom or a lighter font such that the brands appear unselected. Additionally, each of the other product selection tools  80  which have not been set by a customer  10  are also updated in accordance with the brands selected; e.g., the category menu  82  is updated to identify only those categories of shoes available in the selected brands; the color family selector  86  is updated to identify only those colors of shoes available in the selected brands. (Thus, if the manufacturers of the selected brands do not make white shoes, the color icon  130  identifying the color white will be displayed as not selectable thereby indicating that white shoes are not available). On the other hand, if the price range selector  94  has already been set to identify a certain price range by the customer  10 , then the price range selector  94  will not be reset pursuant to the subsequent brand menu  84  selections but will remain and limit the brand search to display only shoes in the selected brands within the pre-selected price range. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a flow chart  195  illustrates one embodiment of a process for displaying a plurality of products for customer review and comparison in accordance with the system and method of the present invention. The process begins at block  202  wherein a product selection screen  50  (See  FIG. 2 ) including a filter window  56  and display window  58  for a selected product such as women&#39;s shoes. In a normal state, prior to any customer  10  use of the product selection tools  80  or product sort tools, the process includes displaying a filter window  56  directed to a “home page” for women&#39;s shoes and a display window  58  displaying local advertisements  73  and featured products  74 . The process continues at one of blocks  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 , with the customer  10  selection/deselection of one of a Category, Brand, Color Family, Size, Width Range, Heel Height, and Price Range, via one of the corresponding product selection tools  80 . Following use of one of the product selection tools  80 , the process continues at block  300  wherein the filter window  56  and display window  58  is updated as discussed further herein below. Following updating of the filter window  56  and display window  58  at block  300 , the process loops and continues again at one of blocks  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 , pursuant to a next customer selection/deselection via one of the corresponding product selection tools  80  as set forth above. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each of the product selection tools  80  can be utilized by a customer  10  in any order with or without the use of another of the product selection tools. 
     The screens for both the filter window  56  and display window  58  are updated such that a new window (or screen section) is displayed within a currently displayed HTML page, web page or browser screen (and, thus, no new HTML page, web page, or browser screen is generated). Thus, each time one of the product selection tools  80  or one of the sort tools provided in the display window  58  is utilized by a customer  10 , the filter window  56  and display window  58  is updated in response to the customer selection within the same browser screen or web page. This method is to be distinguished from other conventional techniques, where a new HTML page(s) is generated and opened over an existing page each time an icon, link or other selectable item is chosen by a user. 
     One key feature of the present disclosure is that many of the product selection tools  80  allow a customer to choose more than one selection such that various products can be displayed simultaneously in a common display window  58  for comparison therebetween. For example, using both the category menu  82  and the brand menu  82 , a customer can select a category identifier  100  for “Sandals” and brand names  126  for the brand names “Bandolino” and “Anne Klein New York” which causes the display window  58  to be updated in real time to display only the available products meeting these selected criteria. Thus, in this example, the display window  58  is updated in real time to display only Sandals carrying the brand names “Bandolino” and “Anne Klein New York”. As set forth above, the sort tools available directly from the display window  58  allow the displayed product images  76  and associated product descriptions  78  to be grouped together in a standard view or sorted by brand and displayed in a brand view. The toggle  129  being selectable to view the displayed products in either the standard or brand views. 
     While the product selection tools  80  and other sort tools described herein illustrate some of the product selection methods that may be implemented with the present disclosure, it should be understood that many other or different selection and sort tools and/or selection or sort criteria may be used for and/or with the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a flow chart  200  illustrates another embodiment of a process for displaying a plurality of products for customer review and comparison in accordance with the system and method of the present disclosure. The process begins at a block  202  by displaying a product selection screen  50  (See  FIG. 2 ) including a filter window  56  and display window  58  for a selected product such as women&#39;s shoes. In a normal state, prior to any customer use of the product selection or sort tools, the process includes displaying a filter window  56  directed to a “home page” women&#39;s shoes and a display window  58  displaying local advertisements  73  and featured products  74 . The process continues at block  204  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a category identifier  100  or new category identifier has been selected or deselected. If yes the process proceeds to block  300  wherein the display and filter windows are updated as discussed further herein below. 
     If no category identifier  100  has been selected/deselected or following the updating of the display and filter windows pursuant to a category selection, the process continues at block  206  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a brand name(s)  126  or new brand name(s) has been selected or deselected. If yes the process proceeds to block  300  wherein the display and filter windows are updated according to the brand name selections made. 
     If no brand name  126  has been selected/deselected or following the updating of the display and filter windows pursuant to a brand name selection, the process continues at block  208  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a color icon  130  has been selected or deselected. If a color icon  130  has been selected the process proceeds to block  300  wherein the display and filter windows are updated according to any color selections made. Thereafter, the process continues at block  210 . 
     If no color icon  130  has been selected/deselected or following the updating of the display and filter windows pursuant to a color selection, the process continues at block  210  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a size icon  134  has been selected or deselected. If yes the process proceeds to block  300  wherein the display and filter windows are updated according to any size selections made. Thereafter, the process continues at block  212 . 
     If no size icon  134  has been selected/deselected or following the updating of the display and filter windows pursuant to a size selection, the process continues at block  212  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a width icon  140  has been selected or deselected. If yes the process proceeds to block  300  wherein the display and filter windows are updated according to any width selections made. Thereafter, the process continues at block  214 . 
     If no width icon  140  has been selected/deselected or following the updating of the display and filter windows pursuant to a width selection, the process continues at block  214  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a heel height range identifier  150  has been selected or deselected. If yes the process proceeds to block  300  wherein the display and filter windows are updated according to any heel height ranges selected. Thereafter, the process continues at block  216 . 
     If no heel height range identifier  150  has been selected/deselected or following the updating of the display and filter windows pursuant to a heel height selection, the process continues at block  216  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a price range or new price range has been selected via the price range selector  94 . If yes the process proceeds to block  300  wherein the display and filter windows are updated according to the price range or new price range selected. Thereafter, the process loops to block  204  and starts over checking each of the product selection tools  80  for the current selections. 
     If no price range or new price range is selected, the process returns to block  204  and starts over checking each of the product selection tools  80  for the current selections. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the process of updating the display window  58  and filter window  56  begins at block  300  and continues at block  302  wherein a database associated with the merchant server  24  for the website  22  is queried and all products available through the website  22  of a customer selected product type are identified and stored in memory together with associated images and information for each product at block  304 . The information and images associated with each product currently selected is referred to herein collectively as “Selected Products Data”. 
     The process continues at block  306  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a category identifier  100  has been selected. If none of the category identifiers have been selected, the process jumps to box  314 . If one or more category identifiers  100  have been selected the process continues at block  308  wherein the Selected Products Data is retrieved and updated to delete therefrom all information related to products not in a selected category. 
     The process continues at block  310  wherein the Selected Products Data is searched with respect to the features associated with each of the product search tools  80  for updating the filter window  56  with respect to the products selected. The information pertaining to the current products selected and associated with each of the product selection tools  80  is collectively referred to herein as “Filter Window Data”. 
     For example, if the currently selected products range in price from $35 to $350, the process at block  310  includes scanning the Selected Products Data for the prices of each of the selected products and storing the minimum price retrieved ($35) and the maximum price retrieved ($350) as Filter Window Data and updating and displaying the price range selector  94  accordingly. The same process is repeated for updating the Filter Window Data and displaying each of the product search tools  80  provided in the filter window  56  with respect to the products currently selected and the Selected Products Data therefor. 
     At block  312 , the process continues with sorting the Selected Products Data pursuant to any currently selected sort criteria such as “Price—low to high”, “Best selling” or “Newest arrivals” or by brand in a brand view. Still referring to block  312 , the process includes displaying the Selected Products Data including both a product image  76  and associated product description  78  for each currently selected product in accordance with the sorted order or arrangement thereof. 
     The process continues at block  314  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a brand name  126  has been selected. If none of the brand name(s)  126  have been selected, the process jumps to box  322 . If one or more brand names  126  have been selected the process continues at block  316  wherein the Selected Products Data is retrieved and updated to delete therefrom all information related to products not of a selected brand. 
     The process continues at block  318  wherein the Selected Products Data is searched with respect to the features associated with each of the product search tools  80  for updating the Filter Window Data with respect to the products selected and displaying each of the product search tools  80  provided in the filter window  56  with respect to the products currently selected and the corresponding Filter Window Data. 
     At block  320 , the process continues with sorting the Selected Products Data pursuant to any currently selected sort criteria. Still referring to block  320 , the process includes displaying the Selected Products Data including both a product image  76  and associated product description  78  for each currently selected product in accordance with the sorted order or arrangement thereof. 
     The process continues at block  322  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a color icon  130  has been selected. If none of the color icons  130  have been selected, the process jumps to box  330 . If one or more color icons  130  have been selected the process continues at block  324  wherein the Selected Products Data is retrieved and updated to delete therefrom all information related to products not of a selected color family. 
     The process continues at block  326  wherein the Selected Products Data is searched with respect to the features associated with each of the product search tools  80  for updating the Filter Window Data with respect to the products selected and displaying each of the product search tools  80  provided in the filter window  56  with respect to the products currently selected and the corresponding Filter Window Data. 
     At block  328 , the process continues with sorting the Selected Products Data pursuant to any currently selected sort criteria. Still referring to block  328 , the process includes displaying the Selected Products Data including both a product image  76  and associated product description  78  for each currently selected product in accordance with the sorted order or arrangement thereof. 
     The process continues at block  330  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a size icon  134  has been selected. If none of the size icons  134  have been selected, the process jumps to box  338 . If one or more color icons  130  has been selected the process continues at block  332  wherein the Selected Products Data is retrieved and updated to delete therefrom all information related to products not available in a selected size. 
     The process continues at block  334  wherein the Selected Products Data is searched with respect to the features associated with each of the product search tools  80  for updating the Filter Window Data with respect to the products selected and displaying each of the product search tools  80  provided in the filter window  56  with respect to the products currently selected and the corresponding Filter Window Data. 
     At block  336 , the process continues with sorting the Selected Products Data pursuant to any currently selected sort criteria. Still referring to block  336 , the process includes displaying the Selected Products Data including both a product image  76  and associated product description  78  for each currently selected product in accordance with the sorted order or arrangement thereof. 
     The process continues at block  338  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a width icon  140  has been selected. If none of the width icons  140  have been selected, the process jumps to box  346 . If one or more width icons  140  have been selected the process continues at block  340  wherein the Selected Products Data is retrieved and updated to delete therefrom all information related to products not available in a selected width. 
     The process continues at block  342  wherein the Selected Products Data is searched with respect to the features associated with each of the product search tools  80  for updating the Filter Window Data with respect to the products selected and displaying each of the product search tools  80  provided in the filter window  56  with respect to the products currently selected and the corresponding Filter Window Data. 
     At block  344 , the process continues with sorting the Selected Products Data pursuant to any currently selected sort criteria. Still referring to block  344 , the process includes displaying the Selected Products Data including both a product image  76  and associated product description  78  for each currently selected product in accordance with the sorted order or arrangement thereof. 
     The process continues at block  346  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not a heel height range identifier  150  has been selected. If none of the range identifiers  150  have been selected, the process jumps to box  354 . If one or more range identifiers  150  have been selected the process continues at block  348  wherein the Selected Products Data is retrieved and updated to delete therefrom all information related to products not available within the selected heel height ranges. 
     The process continues at block  350  wherein the Selected Products Data is searched with respect to the features associated with each of the product search tools  80  for updating the Filter Window Data with respect to the products selected and displaying each of the product search tools  80  provided in the filter window  56  using the current Filter Window Data. 
     At block  352 , the process continues with sorting the Selected Products Data pursuant to any currently selected sort criteria. Still referring to block  352 , the process includes displaying the Selected Products Data including both a product image  76  and associated product description  78  for each currently selected product in accordance with the sorted order or arrangement thereof. 
     The process continues at block  354  wherein a determination is made as to whether or not the price range selector  94  has been adjusted to specify a desired price range. If a price range has not been identified, the process jumps to box  358 . If a desired price range has been selected via the price range selector  94 , the process continues at block  356  wherein the Selected Products Data is retrieved and updated to delete therefrom all information related to products not available within the selected price range. 
     The process continues at block  358  wherein the Selected Products Data is searched with respect to the features associated with each of the product search tools  80  for updating the Filter Window Data with respect to the products selected and displaying each of the product search tools  80  provided in the filter window  56  using the current Filter Window Data. 
     At block  360 , the process continues with sorting the Selected Products Data pursuant to any currently selected sort criteria. Still referring to block  360 , the process includes displaying the Selected Products Data including both a product image  76  and associated product description  78  for each currently selected product in accordance with the sorted order or arrangement thereof. 
     Thus, each time one of the product search tools  80  or one of the sort tools provided is utilized by a customer  10  to revise the current search and/or sort criteria, the selected products are updated accordingly and displayed in the display window  58  in real time. Additionally, the filter window  56  setting forth the search criteria and the corresponding features of the currently selected products is updated and displayed in real time in response to any customer selections. The flow charts  200  and  300  identify one embodiment of a process in accordance with the present disclosure for displaying the filter window  56  and display window  58  pursuant to customer entered search and sort criteria. 
     It should be understood that it is not important for the present disclosure how the customer  10  actually purchases or obtains the desired item. For example, the desired item may be obtained by the customer  10  using the computer  14  and the network  18  or off-line without the use of the computer  14  or network  18 , e.g., via telephone, fax, mail, in person, CD, or DVD, or the like. 
     Also, for any of the drop-down menus or pop-over menus described herein, instead or in addition to the options being displayed in text format, one or more of the options may be displayed as visual images or icons. 
     Further, the various displays, screen illustrations, and user interfaces described herein, are displayed on the customer computer  14  and are either generated by the merchant website server  24  and sent via the network  18  to the customer computer  14  or are generated by software stored in the customer computer  14  sent from the merchant website server. In either case, content displayed on the customer computer  14  when connected to the merchant website is a result of or caused by information or data generated by the merchant website server  24  and sent to the customer computer  14 . Therefore, content displayed from the merchant website  22  on the customer computer  14  shall be deemed herein to be displayed by the merchant website  22 . 
     Although the disclosure has been described herein using exemplary techniques, algorithms, and/or processes for implementing the present disclosure, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that other techniques, algorithms and processes or other combinations and sequences of the techniques, algorithms and processes described herein may be used or performed that achieve the same function(s) and/or result(s) described herein and which are included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Any process descriptions, steps, or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the preferred embodiments of the systems and methods described herein in which functions may be deleted or executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art. 
     It should be understood that, unless otherwise explicitly or implicitly indicated herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Also, the drawings herein are not drawn to scale. 
     Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, but do not require, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and protected by the following claims.