METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING PRODUCT SHOPPING
A method and a system to facilitate finding a product (e.g., camera) and corresponding product accessories are described. A list of product combinations may be retrieved from a database. Each product combination may include a product and at least one product accessory respectively supplied from one of product suppliers and one of product accessory suppliers. The list of product combinations may be ranked based on a sum value of a product value/price ratio of the product and a product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory in each product combination. A display on a machine may cause a presentation of the list of product combinations to a user.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/112,747, filed on May 20, 2011, the benefit of priority of which is claimed hereby, and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present application relates generally to information processing and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods to facilitate users in product shopping over a network.
BACKGROUNDWith the development of computer and network related technologies, more users (e.g., sellers and buyers) participate in e-commerce activities or events. For example, sellers may attempt to sell products (e.g., cameras and/or camera accessories) to buyers via networks (e.g., the Internet). However, in many situations, sellers may not provide buyers with efficient or convenient approaches to finding products that are attractive to buyers.
Some embodiments are illustrated by way of examples and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:
Example methods and systems to facilitate buyers in camera shopping via a network are described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present application may be practiced without these specific details.
Example methods and systems to facilitate buyers in finding product (e.g., camera) combinations via a network are described. In e-commerce sites (like eBay), many cameras and camera accessories (e.g., flash lights or tripods) from various resources (e.g., different sellers or suppliers) are provided to buyers, who may buy a combination of a camera and at least one camera accessory (e.g., a tripod) in one purchase. However, it could be time consuming for a buyer to find a satisfactory combination of a camera and at least one camera accessory that might meet her interests. For example, cameras of the same model may be provided from different providers and thus may have differences in price, shipping fee, capacity vs. price ratio, and/or reputation. In an embodiment, a system having a camera combination ranking module may facilitate the buyer in finding a camera combination that may meet her interests. The camera combination ranking module may rank a list of camera combinations, based on a sum value of a camera value and a camera accessory value in each camera combination for example. The list of camera combinations may facilitate the buyer in finding a suitable camera combination that may meet her interests (e.g., lower price or higher capacity vs. price ratio).
Example methods and systems to facilitate buyers in evaluating product (e.g., camera) models via a network are also described. In e-commerce sites, many product (e.g., camera) models (e.g., Nikon® D100, or Nikkor® AF 18-35) are provided to buyers. However, it could be time consuming for a buyer to find a satisfactory camera model that meets her interests without professional suggestions. In an embodiment, a system including a photo search engine and a photo ranking module may facilitate the buyer in evaluating a candidate camera model (e.g., Nikon® D100) to be used in a photography mode (e.g., “portrait”, “landscape”, or “sports” photography theme). The photo search engine may retrieve a list of photos taken by the candidate camera model in a selected mode (e.g., “portrait”). The photo ranking module may rank the list of photos, for example based on scores given to the list of photos by photo viewers. The ranked list of photos may facilitate the buyer in evaluating the candidate camera model.
Platform ArchitectureThe network-based commerce server system 110 provides server-side functionality via the network 130 to the one or more client machines 120. The network-based commerce server system 110 includes an Application Program Interface (API) server 111, a web server 112, at least one application server 113, a database server 115, and a database 116 for example. The Application Program Interface (API) server 111 and the web server 112 are coupled to, and provide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to the application server 113.
The application server 113 may include at least a product (e.g., camera) shopping system 114, which may include multiple camera shopping modules or components 200 as shown in
The client machine 120 includes a web client machine 122. (e.g., a browser) and/or a programmatic client 124, and is accessible to a buyer to interact with the commerce server system 110 via the network 130. The web client 122 of the client machine 120 may access the camera shopping system 114 via a web interface supported by the web server 112 for example. Similarly, the programmatic client 124 of the client machine 120 may access the various services and functions provided by the camera shopping system 114 via a programmatic interface provided by the API server 111 for example.
While the product (e.g., camera) shopping system 114 in
While the e-commerce shopping system 100 shown in
In an embodiment, the product (e.g., camera) shopping modules (or components) 200 of the camera shopping system 114 may facilitate buyers in finding camera combinations via the network 130. In this embodiment, the product (e.g., camera) shopping modules (or components) 200 of the product (e.g., camera) shopping system 114 may include, but are not limited to, a mode selection interface 202, a product (e.g., camera) model presenting interface 204, a product (e.g., camera) accessory model presenting interface 206, a product (e.g., camera) model combination selection interface 208, a product (e.g., camera) combination search engine 210, a product (e.g., camera) combination ranking module 212, a product (e.g., camera) model selection module 21.4, a photo search engine 216, a photo ranking module 218, and a product (e.g., camera) model information presenting interface 220.
In some embodiments, the mode selection interface 202 is configured to provide a buyer with some photography modes or themes (e.g., “portrait”, “landscape”, or “sports”) on the client machine 120 as shown in
In some embodiments, the camera model presenting interface 204 is configured to present a list of camera models (e.g., Canon® EOS T1i, Nikon® D100, and Nikkor® AF 18-35) based on the selected mode (e.g., “portrait”). The list of camera models may be selected from a camera model table 304 (as shown in
In some embodiments, the camera accessory model presenting interface 206 is configured to present at least one list of camera accessory models (such as tripod models and/or flash light models) based on the selected mode (e.g., “portrait”). The at least one list of camera accessory models may be selected from a camera accessory model table 306 (as shown in
In some embodiments, the camera model combination selection module 208 is configured to receive a selection of a camera model combination by the buyer based on the mode (e.g., “portrait”). For example, the buyer may select a camera model combination, which includes a camera model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i.”) and at least one camera accessory model (e.g., a flash light, “Canon® 580 EX II”) based on the mode (e.g., “portrait”). The camera model and the at least one camera accessory model may be selected respectively from the presented list of camera models and the presented list of camera accessory models.
in some embodiments, the camera combination search engine 210 is configured to retrieve a list of camera combinations based on the camera model combination (e.g., a camera model “Canon/EOS T1i” and a flash light “Canon® 580 EX II”). Each camera combination may include an actual camera of the camera model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) and at least one actual camera accessory (e.g., a flash light) of the camera accessory model (e.g., “Canon® 580 EX II”), which are respectively supplied from one of many camera suppliers and one of many camera accessory suppliers. Information regarding the actual cameras may be stored in a camera table 308 (as shown in
In some embodiments, the camera combination ranking module 212 is configured to rank the list of camera combinations based on a sum value of a camera value and a camera accessory value in each camera combination in the list of camera combinations. In many situations, actual cameras of the same camera model and actual camera accessory models of the same camera accessory model from different sources or suppliers may be different in price, shipment fee, capacity vs. price ratio, and/or reputation. The camera value may be related to a factor such as the price, shipment fee, capacity vs. price ratio, and/or reputation of the actual camera. The camera accessory value may be related to a factor such as the price, shipment fee, capacity vs. price ratio, and/or reputation of the actual camera accessory. The term “capacity” could be applied to any one or more features, such as number of pixels, amount of memory, transfer speed, etc.
For example, each camera combination of the list of camera combinations may have a sum price, which is a sum of the price of the camera and the price of the at least one camera accessory. The list of camera combinations may be ranked based on a sum price of each camera combination in the list of camera combinations in an order from low to high for example. The ranked list of camera combinations may facilitate buyers in finding camera combinations that may be attractive in price to them.
For example, each camera combination of the list of camera combinations may have a sum score, which is a sum of a score of the camera and a score of the at least one camera accessory. The score (e.g., 8 out of 10) of the camera and the score (e.g., 6 out of 10) of the camera accessory are respectively given by reviewers. The list of camera combinations may be ranked based on a sum score (e.g., 14) of each camera combination in the list of camera combinations in an order from or from high to low for example. The ranked list of camera combinations may facilitate buyers in finding camera combinations that may be attractive in reputation to them.
For example, each camera combination of the list of camera combinations may have a sum capacity/price ratio, which is a sum of a capacity/price ratio of the camera and a capacity/price ratio of the at least one camera accessory. The capacity/price ratio of the camera and the capacity/price ratio of the camera accessory are respectively given by a third party authority. The list of camera combinations may be ranked based on a sum capacity/price ratio of each camera combination in the list of camera combinations in an order from low to high (or from high to tow). The ranked list of camera combinations may facilitate buyers in finding camera combinations that may be attractive in capacity/price ratio to them.
In some embodiments, the ranked list of camera combinations may be presented to the buyers via a display (e.g., a LCD displayer) on the client machine 120 to facilitate the buyer in finding a camera combination that is attractive to her.
In another embodiment, the camera shopping modules or components 200 of the camera shopping system 114 may facilitate buyers in evaluating camera models via the network 130. In this embodiment, the camera shopping modules or components 200 of the camera shopping system 114 may include, but are not limited to, a mode selection interface, a camera model selection module, a photo search engine, a photo ranking module, a camera model information presenting interface, and a display for example.
In some embodiments, as stated above, the mode selection interface 202 is configured to provide a buyer with some photography modes or themes (e.g., “portrait”, “landscape”, or “sports”) on the client machine 120 as shown in
In some embodiments, the camera model selection module 214 is configured to receive a selection of a camera model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) from a list of camera models based on the mode (e.g., “portrait”).
In some embodiments, the photo search engine 216 is configured to retrieve a list of photos taken in the mode (e.g., “portrait”) and by the camera model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) to facilitate evaluating the camera model. The list of photos may be retrieved from the database 116 (as shown in
In some embodiments, the photo ranking module 218 is configured to rank the list of photos based on scores (e.g., between 0 and 100) given by viewers to the list of photos. For example, the ranked list of photos, taken by the selected camera model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) in the selected photography mode (e.g., “portrait”), may facilitate the buyer in evaluating the selected camera model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) based on its performance in the intended photography mode (e.g., “portrait”).
In some embodiments, the ranked list of photos may be presented to the buyers via a display (e.g., a LCD displayer) on the client machine 120.
In some embodiments, the camera model information presenting interface 220 is configured to present detailed information about the camera model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”), once the camera model is selected. The detailed information about the camera model may include promotion or on-sale information about the camera model. The detailed information about the camera model may also include sales trends information about the camera model.
While much of the specification is focused on camera products, various embodiments of the application may be applied to other products, such as camcorders, DVD players, digital video recorders, MP3 players and the like.
Data StructuresThe “mode” table 302 may provide records to be used by the mode selection interface 202 for example. Each “mode” table 302 may include fields, but not limited to, a mode identifier and a mode name (e.g., “portrait”).
The “camera model” table 304 may include fields such as, but not limited to, a camera model identifier, a camera model name (e.g., “Canon® EOS Ti1”), a camera model description, and at least one mode identifier.
The “camera accessory model” table 306 may include fields such as, but not limited to, a camera accessory model identifier, a camera accessory category (e.g., “Flash Light”), a camera accessory model name (e.g., “Canon® 580 EX II”), a camera accessory model description, and at least one mode identifier.
The “camera” table 308 may include fields such as, but not limited to, a camera identifier, a camera name, a camera description, and a camera model identifier.
The “camera accessory” table 310 may include fields such as, but not limited to, a camera accessory identifier, a camera accessory name, a camera accessory category (e.g., “Flash Light”), a camera accessory description, and a camera accessory model identifier.
At operation 402, a selection of a mode (e.g., “portrait”) may be received from a plurality of photography modes (e.g., “portrait”, “landscape”, or “sports”).
At operation 404, a list of camera models and a list of camera accessory models may be presented based on the selected mode (e.g., “portrait”).
At operation 406, a selection of a camera model combination may be received. The camera model combination may include a camera model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) and at least one camera accessory model (e.g., a flash light “Canon®580 EX II”, etc) respectively from the list of camera models and the list of camera accessory models.
At operation 408, a list of camera combinations based on the camera model combination may be retrieved from the database 116. Each camera combination may include an actual camera and at least one actual camera accessory respectively supplied from one of camera suppliers and one of camera accessory suppliers.
At operation 410, the list of actual camera combinations may be ranked based on a sum value of a camera value and at least one camera accessory value in each actual camera combination. In some embodiments, the camera value and the camera accessory value may respectively include a camera price and a camera accessory price. The camera value and the camera accessory value may also respectively include a camera score and a camera accessory score respectively given by users or reviewers. The camera value and the camera accessory value may also respectively include a camera capacity/price ratio and a camera accessory capacity/price ratio.
At operation 412, the ranked list of camera combinations may be presented via a display on the client machine 120 (as shown in
At operation 502, a selection of a product operational mode (such as a photography mode, e.g., “portrait”) by a buyer from a plurality of modes (e.g., “portrait”, “landscape”, or “sports”) may be received.
At operation 504, a list of product (e.g., camera) models (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”, “Nikon® D100”, or “Nikkor® AF 18-35” etc) may be presented based on the selected mode (e.g., “portrait”).
At operation 506, a selection of a product (e.g., camera) model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) may be received from the list of camera models.
At operation 508, a list of works (e.g., photos), taken by the selected product (e.g., camera) model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) and in the selected product operational mode (e.g., “portrait”), may be retrieved from a work (e.g., photo) gallery. The work gallery may be stored in the database 116 (as shown in
At operation 510, the list of works (e.g., photos) may be ranked based on scores (e.g., between 0 and 100) given by viewers to the list of works for example.
At operation 512, the ranked list of works (e.g., photos) may be presented to a buyer via a display on the client machine 120 (as shown in
At operation 514, detailed information about the selected product (e.g., camera) model (e.g., “Canon® EOS T1i”) may be presented, once the product (e.g., camera) model is selected.
While much of the specification is focused on camera products, various embodiments of the application may be applied to other products, such as camcorders, DVD players, digital video recorders, MP3 players and the like. Examples of works may include photos, audio works, video clips, etc.
An example Computer System
The example computer system 600 includes a processor 602 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (CPU) or both), a main memory 604 and a static memory 606, which communicate with each other via a bus 608, The computer system 600 may further include a video display unit 610 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 600 also includes an alphanumeric input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 614 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 616, a signal generation device 618 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 620.
The disk drive unit 616 includes a machine-readable medium 622 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 624) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The software 624 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 604 and/or within the processor 602 during execution thereof by the computer system 600, the main memory 604 and the processor 602 also constituting machine-readable media.
The software 624 may further be transmitted or received over a network 626 via the network interface device 620. While the machine-readable medium 622 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media.
Thus, methods and systems for facilitating buyers in camera shopping via networks have been described. Although the present application has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Claims
1. A method, comprising:
- retrieving a list of product combinations, each product combination including a product and at least one product accessory;
- ranking the list of product combinations based on a combination value of a product value/price ratio of the product and a product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory in each product combination; and
- causing a presentation of the list of product combinations to a user via a display on a machine.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the combination value comprises a sum value of the product value/price ratio of the product and the product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the product value/price ratio of the product comprises a product attribute/price ratio of the product, and wherein the product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory comprises a product accessory attribute/price ratio of the at least one product accessory.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the product value/price ratio of the product comprises a product capacity/price ratio of the product, and wherein the product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory comprises a product accessory capacity/price ratio of the at least one product accessory.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- receiving a selection of a mode from a plurality of product operational modes; and
- presenting a list of product models and a list of product accessory models based on the selection of the mode.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the mode comprises a theme mode including one of a portrait mode, a landscape mode, and a sports mode.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the list of product models comprises at least one of a list of camera models, a list of video models, and a list of audio models.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the list of product accessory models comprises at least one of a list of camera accessory models, a list of video accessory models, and a list of audio accessory models.
9. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
- receiving a selection of a product model combination, the product model combination including a product model from the list of product models and at least one product accessory model from the list of product accessory models.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the list of product combinations is retrieved from a database based on the selection of the product model combination.
11. A system, comprising:
- a search engine to retrieve a list of product combinations, each product combination including a product and at least one product accessory;
- a ranking module configured to rank the list of product combinations based on a combination value of a product value/price ratio of the product and a product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory in each product combination; and
- a display on a machine to present the ranked list of product combinations to a user.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the combination value is a sum value of the product value/price ratio of the product and the product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory.
13. system of claim 11, wherein the product is supplied from a plurality of product suppliers, and wherein the at least one product accessory is supplied from a plurality of product accessory suppliers.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising:
- a mode selection interface configured to receive a selection of a mode from a plurality of modes; and
- a combination selection module to receive a selection of a product model combination based on the selection of the mode, wherein the product model combination comprises a product model from a list of product models and a product accessory model from a list of product accessory models.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the list of product combinations is retrieved based on the selection of the product model combination.
16. The system of claim 14, further comprising:
- a product model presenting interface configured to present the list of product models based on the selection of the mode; and
- a product accessory model presenting interface configured to present the list of product accessory models based on the selection of the mode.
17. The system of claim 11, further comprising:
- a mode storage to store the plurality of modes;
- a product model storage to store the list of product models;
- a product accessory model storage to store the list of product accessory models;
- a product storage to store the list of products; and
- a product accessory storage to store the list of product accessories.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the product includes at least one of a camera product, a video product, and an audio product.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one product accessory includes at least one of a camera accessory, a video accessory, and an audio accessory.
20. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform a method comprising:
- retrieving a list of product combinations, each product combination including a product and at least one product accessory;
- ranking the list of product combinations based on a combination value of a product value/price ratio of the product and a product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory in each product combination; and
- causing a presentation of the list of product combinations to a user via a display on a machine.
International Classification: G06Q 30/06 (20060101);