Abstract:
The present invention is related to the evaluation of items or services on the Internet in web pages, social networks or applications running in mobile devices. In such context, the present invention provides a method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and an evaluation management computing device capable of allowing an unsatisfied user to evaluate a given item or service with a negative classification represented by a trash bin icon. Additionally, the method of evaluation of the present invention is capable of informing whether a certain item or service received any trash bin classification, and in the affirmative, how many users evaluated the same with that classification.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to the evaluation of items or services on the Internet. More particularly, the present invention is related to methods and devices for the evaluation of items or services on the Internet such as web pages, social networks or applications running in mobile devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Nowadays the evaluation of items and services in Internet pages and applications is increasingly common. The evaluation may be conducted on the Internet pages of the manufacturer or merchant of a given product or service, such as virtual shops, in websites specializing in the evaluation of services and products, in social networks, in Smartphone applications, among others. 
         [0003]    The most common visual means for evaluation of items and services on the Internet is the use of a star-based classification (star rating).  FIGS. 1 and 2  show different visual entities for evaluation that make use of stars for evaluations on the Internet. As may be noted, as a rule, such evaluations comprise a rating of 1 to 5 for evaluation of the item or service, where 1 is the lower classification and 5 is the highest classification, corresponding, for example, to an item or a service of extremely bad and of excellent quality, respectively. 
         [0004]    That same Internet page or application may provide, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a summary of the evaluations comprising, for example, an average of the ratings attributed by all users. In this manner, a user that is interested in acquiring a given item or service is able to check the number of users that evaluated the same and the average rating thereof. 
         [0005]    However, it often occurs that the user is so unsatisfied with the item or service that he or she wishes to evaluate the same with a rating lower than 1. To date, this type of evaluation with the lowest possible rating still entails a positive meaning, to wit, 1 star. However, based on the possibility of use of the present invention, there will exist an icon that will really express the total lack of any positive characteristic in the item or service that is evaluated. At such time, the user will have the option of expressing his or her total lack of satisfaction. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A first object of the invention is to allow a user to express his or her lack of satisfaction with regard to a product or service in an objective manner, by means of an icon that clearly evidences such lack of satisfaction. 
         [0007]    A second object of the invention is to provide an evaluation method capable of clearly informing the number of positive and negative evaluations. To this end, a negative icon, represented as a trash bin, will be lit only when the evaluated item will have been the object of a negative evaluation, and will also inform the number of “trash bins” attributed thereto. Therefore, if the trash bin is not lit, it will be obvious that the said item did not receive any negative evaluation. 
         [0008]    A method for evaluation of items and services on the Internet comprises providing, by an evaluation management computing device, a plurality of rating options to at least one user to evaluate an item or a service, wherein a lowest classification of the plurality of rating options is displayed as a trash bin icon. A selection of one of the provided plurality of rating options from a plurality of users is received by the evaluation management computing device. A rating attributed to the item or service by the plurality of users is computed by the evaluation management computing device based on the received selections. 
         [0009]    An evaluation management computing device includes a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory including providing a plurality of rating options to at least one user to evaluate an item or a service, wherein a lowest classification of the plurality of rating options is displayed as a trash bin icon. A selection of one of the provided plurality of rating options from a plurality of users is received. A rating attributed to the item or service by the plurality of users is computed based on the received selections. 
         [0010]    The present technology provides an evaluation that allows users to rate a lowest classification with a trash bin icon. The present technology allows an item or service to be ranked with a negative classification represented by a trash bin icon, in case that the user deems the item or service to be so bad as to not even deserve at least one star. Thus, the present technology provides an evaluation method with a form of negative evaluation, where no star is associated with the service, there being instead an icon that represents a very negative classification. The technology allows users to provide a more assertive evaluation and provides more details to consumers based on the evaluations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The detailed description that follows makes reference to the attached figures, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a first star rating for evaluations of items and services as known in the prior art; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a second star rating for evaluations of items and services as known in the prior art; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a general average of evaluations for a star rating as known in the prior art; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an environment with an exemplary evaluation computing device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an exemplary method for the evaluation of items or services on the Internet; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a visual interface of the evaluation screen of the method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a Smartphone; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows a visual interface of the general average of evaluations screen according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a Smartphone. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The description that follows will be based on a preferred embodiment of the invention. As will be obvious to any technician skilled in the art, however, the invention is not limited to such particular embodiment. 
         [0020]    An environment  10  with an exemplary evaluation management computing device  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In this example, the environment  10  includes client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) and the evaluation management computing device  14 , which are coupled by communication network  18 , although the environment could include other types and numbers of systems, devices, components, and/or other elements in other configurations and environments with other communication network topologies. This technology provides a number of advantages including providing methods, non-transitory computer readable mediums, and devices for the evaluation of items or services on the Internet. 
         [0021]    Referring more specifically to  FIG. 4 , the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) enable a user to request and receive information from at least the evaluation management computing device  14  for the evaluation of items or services on the Internet as illustrated and described with the examples herein, although the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) could perform other types and numbers of functions and other operations. By way of example only, the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) may comprise computing devices configured to communicate with the evaluation management computing device  14  to obtain content, such as one or more web pages or dashboard interfaces, stored at the evaluation management computing device  14  and/or to send information to the evaluation management computing device  14 . 
         [0022]    The client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) include at least one processor, a memory, a user input device, a display, and a network interface, which are coupled together by a bus or other link, although one or more of client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) can include other numbers and types of components, parts, devices, systems, and elements in other configurations. The processor in each of the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) can execute programmed instructions stored in the memory of each of the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) for one or more aspects of the present invention as described and illustrated herein, although the processors could execute other numbers and types of programmed instructions. 
         [0023]    The memory in each of the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) stores these programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present invention as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and/or executed elsewhere. A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, DVD ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and/or written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and/or writing system that is coupled to the processor, can be used for the memory in the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n). 
         [0024]    The user input device in each of the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) can be used to input selections, such as a request for content or information from the evaluation management computing device  14 , although the user input devices could be used to input other types of requests and data. The user input devices can include keypads or touch screens although other types and numbers of user input devices can be used. The display in each of the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) can be used to show data and information to the user, such as a dashboard interface, in response to a request for the information from the evaluation management computing device  14 . The network interface in each of the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) can be used to operatively couple and communicate between the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) and at least the evaluation management computing device  14  via the communication network  18 . 
         [0025]    The evaluation management computing device  14  includes at least one processor  20 , a memory  22 , and a network interface  24 , which are coupled together by a bus  26  or other link, although other numbers and types of components, parts, devices, systems, and elements in other configurations and locations can be used. The processor  20  in the evaluation management computing device  14  executes a program of stored instructions for one or more aspects of the present invention as described and illustrated by way of the embodiments herein, although the processor  20  could execute other numbers and types of programmed instructions. 
         [0026]    The memory  22  in the evaluation management computing device  14  stores these programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present invention as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and/or executed elsewhere. A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, DVD ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and/or written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and/or writing system that is coupled to the processor  20 , can be used for the memory  22  in the evaluation management computing device  14 . 
         [0027]    The network interface  24  in the evaluation management computing device  14  is used to operatively couple and communicate between the evaluation management computing device  14  and the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) via the communication network  18 , although other types and numbers of communication networks  18  with other types and numbers of connections and configurations can be used. Additionally, the communication network  18  can include one or more local area networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs). By way of example only, the communication networks can use TCP/IP over Ethernet and industry-standard protocols, including hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and/or secure HTTP (HTTPS), for example, although other types and numbers of communication networks also can be used. 
         [0028]    Although embodiments of the evaluation management computing device  14  and the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n), are described and illustrated herein, each of the evaluation management computing device  14  and the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) can be implemented on any suitable computer apparatus or computing device. It is to be understood that the apparatuses and devices of the embodiments described herein are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware and software used to implement the embodiments are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). 
         [0029]    Furthermore, each of the devices of the embodiments may be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors, and micro-controllers, programmed according to the teachings of the embodiments, as described and illustrated herein, and as will be appreciated by those ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0030]    The embodiments may also be embodied as one or more non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for one or more aspects of the present invention as described and illustrated by way of the embodiments herein, as described herein, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps necessary to implement the methods of the embodiments, as described and illustrated herein. 
         [0031]    An example of a method for evaluation of items or services on the Internet will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4-7 . Referring more specifically to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary method for the evaluation of items or services on the Internet is illustrated. In step  100 , the evaluation management computing device  14  provides a plurality of ratings options to at least one user at one or more of the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n) to evaluate an item or service. The plurality of ratings options may be displayed by one or more icons on the display interfaces of the client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n). The lowest classification of the plurality of rating options is displayed as a trash bin icon, although the lowest classification may be displayed by other icons providing a negative connotation. As shown in  FIG. 6 , in one example, the possible ratings options are a trash bin icon, 1 star, 2 stars, 3 stars, 4 stars and 5 stars, although other ratings options may be utilized. 
         [0032]    Next, in step  102 , the evaluation management computing device  14  receives a selection of one of the provided plurality of ratings options for a plurality of users utilizing client devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n). In one example, when a user selects the 2-star rating, for example, two stars light up and 3 stars and the trash bin icon remain unlit. In this example, when the trash bin icon is selected, the trash bin lights up and all the stars remain unlit. 
         [0033]    In step  104 , the evaluation management computing device  14  computes a rating attributed to the item or service by the plurality of users based on the received selections in step  102 . In one example, the step of computing the ratings attributed by each of the users comprises the count of all the votes given by the users and the generation of a general average (general rating). Each of the plurality of rating options may be assigned a numerical value. The rating average may be calculated, for example, as a simple arithmetic average of the numerical values of the received selections, with a trash bin selection having a value equal to 0 (zero), the first star having a value equal to 1 and so on, up to the fifth star that has a value equal to 5. Thus, if a product or service is attributed a trash bin classification and a 4-star rating, its general average will be 2 stars. 
         [0034]    Next, in step  106 , the evaluation management computing device  14  displays the calculated average of all the received selections on the display interface of the computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n). As shown in  FIG. 7 , the general rating computed in step  104  may be displayed as shading on the star icons. On visualizing the general rating ( FIG. 7 ) associated to the evaluation of an item or service, the trash bin will only be lit if there was at least one trash bin vote for that item or service. Otherwise, only the stars corresponding to the rating having been given will be lit. 
         [0035]    Optionally, in step  108 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the evaluation management computing device  14  displays the number of users that voted for each of the classifications, trash bin and stars on the display interface of the computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 (n). Thus, on observing the average of the ratings attributed to a certain item or service, a user is also able to know the number of users that voted for each of those ratings. Thereby, the present invention provides two forms of visualization of, and information on, the evaluation of that product or service, either by knowing the number of individual votes for each rating, or by the general average generated from those votes. 
         [0036]    It is important to point out that, on viewing the general average, although only the stars corresponding to that average are lit, the trash bin icon will however be lit, even if it only received 1 vote. This is due to the importance and the strength represented by this icon as a negative factor for a product or service, and any user should be able to clearly, easily and immediately visualize that someone evaluated that product or service with an absolute value. In other words, the image of a trash bin will be sufficient to leave a clear negative message implied by that icon. 
         [0037]    Therefore, the present invention allows users to evaluate a given item or service in a very assertive manner in Internet websites or applications. 
         [0038]    The present invention may be applied in an infinite number of devices, such as smart phones, tablets, and laptops. Furthermore, the method of the present invention may be applied in any Internet pages. 
         [0039]    Accordingly, as illustrated and described with the examples herein this technology provides an improved method and devices for the evaluation of items and services on the Internet. The present technology provides an evaluation that allows users to rate a lowest classification with a trash bin icon. The present technology allows an item or service to be ranked with a negative classification represented by a trash bin icon, in case that the user deems the item or service to be so bad as to not even deserve at least one star. Thus, the present technology provides an evaluation method with a form of negative evaluation, where no star is associated with the service, there being instead an icon that represents a very negative classification. It will be worth pointing out that it often happens that the feeling of dissatisfaction of a user is so intense that a star would constitute too high a classification, since in spite of being only one, the star icon is associated with a positive meaning Therefore, the trash bin icon clearly expresses, with a single image, the feeling of the user with regard to the item being evaluated, without need of further explanations, classifications, or 1 to 5 ratings. Accordingly, with this technology, the evaluation of items and services over the Internet is improved to provide a more accurate assessment and evaluation of the items and services and to provide a higher level of feedback regarding the item or service. 
         [0040]    Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will be rather apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.