Comparing items using a displayed diagram

Abstract

Among other things, a user can view graphically how different available items compare to one another, with respect to attributes of the available items, by controlling what is shown in a displayed diagram that identifies the items, in the context of indicators of their attributes.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 enabling a user to view graphically how different available items compare to one another, with respect to attributes of the available items, by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that identifies the items, in the context of indicators of their attributes.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user controls what is shown by defining criteria of a search, the diagram is displayed in response to the search, and the items portray in the diagram are controlled by the search. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  in which the user controls what is shown by refming an existing search, and the displayed diagram is altered in response to the refming of the search, to include items controlled by the refined search. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user controls what is shown to him using elements of the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  in which the different items are portrayed by respective graphical identifiers that have positions in the displayed diagram that correspond to the attributes for those items. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  in which the relative positions of the graphical identifiers, in the displayed diagram, show how the different items compare. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  in which the graphical identifiers comprise points or dots or x's or icons or images or other markers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  in which the controlling includes changing which items are represented in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  in which the controlling includes changing the number of items that are represented in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  in which the controlling includes changing a range, of at least one of the attributes, that is met by the items that are included in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  in which the controlling includes applying a filter that governs which items are represented in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  in which the controlling comprises applying search criteria to a body of items to select items to be portrayed in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  in which the search criteria are expressed with respect to the attributes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram portrays the attributes in two or three dimensions. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items are portrayed in the displayed device along two or three dimensions that are associated with two or three of the attributes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  in which at least one of the attributes is quantitative. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  in which at least one of the attributes is non-quantitative. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  in which at least one of the attributes comprises a subjective quality of the items. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  in which one of the attributes comprises aging. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram portrays a statistical value that is based on the values of at least one of the attributes for a set of the items. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  in which the statistical value comprises an average or median. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items comprise unique items. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  in which the unique items are new or used items. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items are organized as groups of items. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  in which one of the attributes comprises price. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling the user to view an image, data, or both related to each of the items by interacting with the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1  comprising enabling a user to interact with the displayed diagram by pointing to identifiers of items. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  in which the interacting causes additional information about the items to be displayed on or in the vicinity of the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram is displayed in conjunction or alternately with a display of a text list of the items. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1  in which the diagram is displayed on an online commercial service. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user can drag an interactive display element to alter the number or identity or both, of the items that are portrayed in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  in which the element that is dragged comprises a slider. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  in which the element that is dragged comprises a bounding box. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 1  in which two dimensions of the displayed diagram show ranges of two of the attributes for the items, and a third conceptual dimension shows at least a third attribute. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  in which the third conceptual dimension is shown using color. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  in which third conceptual dimension is shown using multiple trend lines. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 1  in which one of the attributes comprises an indicator of age or wear other than time. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 1  in which one of the attributes comprises an indicator of worth other than money. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 1  including identifying on or in the vicinity of the displayed diagram two or more of the items that are determined automatically to be relatively attractive to the user. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user is enabled to indicate ranges of the attributes that are of interest to the user. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram portrays which items have prices that are above a book or appraised value or below a book or appraised value for the items. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 1  in which depreciation of value comprises one of the attributes. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 1  in which items belonging to different groups are portrayed in a way to identify the groups to which they belong. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram shows predictions of attributes associated with the items. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  in which the predictions are of depreciated values. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 1  which the items comprise vehicles. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  in which the attributes comprise at least two of price, age, mileage, color, model, style, or brand. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  in which the items comprise at least one of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and boats. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items comprise items related to travel. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  in which the attributes comprise at least two of mode of travel, departure location, arrival location, departure time, arrival time, time of travel, one-way or round trip, seating class, duration of travel, and price. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49  in which the mode of travel comprises at least one of plane, train, bus, or boat. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49  in which one dimension of the displayed diagram comprises times of departure, times of arrival, or both. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items comprise possible relationships. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  in which the items comprise identifications of at least one other person or entity of interest to the user. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53  in which the items comprise an introduction of the user to another person for the purpose of dating. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53  in which the attributes comprise at least one of appearance, interests, background, values, sex, location, amount of education, and age. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 53  in which the displayed diagram shows age along one dimension. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items are portrayed in clusters at intersections of values of two attributes. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 53  in which the attributes include a quantitative measurement of a quality of a match between the user and other persons or entities. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram comprises statistics showing the number of items that are characterized by at least one of the attributes. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 53  in which the displayed diagram comprises a map on which the items are portrayed at respective locations. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items comprise real estate for rental or sale or lodging rooms. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  in which the attributes comprise size and price. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram comprises a portrayal of a trend of the attributes. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram includes a histogram of values for an attribute. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 62  in which the attributes comprise a number of bedrooms. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 62  in which the attributes include a listing price. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 62  in which the attributes include a rating. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items comprise food service locations. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items comprise boats and the attributes include at least two of price, engine hours, length, horsepower, maximum speed, and cruising range. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 1  in which the items are available at auction. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71  in which the attributes include a stage of the auction. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user can switch between the displayed diagram and a list or gallery view. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 1  in which the different available items comprise services or vendors of services. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 1  in which the attributes comprise distance from the user. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 1  in which the attributes comprise quality rating for a vendor of services or a measure of user satisfaction with a vendor of services. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 1  in which the attributes comprise a measure of how well a vendor of services matches the user. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 1  in which the attributes comprise one or more of scope of services, product lines offerings, reputation ratings, or accreditations. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 1  in which the attributes comprise a measure of compatibility of the items with answers of the user to questions. 
     
     
         80 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 identifying for a user items available to the user through an online site,   enabling the user to define a search for available items that have specified attributes,   listing available items that have the specified attributes, and   displaying to the user a diagram that portrays the available items that have the specified attributes, in the context of their attributes.   
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise used products and the online site lists used products that are for sale to users. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise used cars and the attributes comprise price and mileage. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise new cars and the attributes comprise selling price and MSRP or dealer invoice. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise travel arrangements. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise travel tickets and the attributes comprise at least two of time, price, location, class, and supplier. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise hotel rooms. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise restaurants. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise boats, and the attributes comprise at least two of price, engine hours, length, horsepower, maximum speed, and cruising range. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise potential relationships. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 80  in which the online site comprises a dating service and the attributes comprise at least two of age, sex, appearance, education, location, and values. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items comprise real estate or lodging and the attributes comprise at least two of size, price, location, number of bedrooms, and ratings. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 80  in which the items are available at auction and the attributes include price and a stage of the auction. 
     
     
         93 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 receiving, from a site that identifies items that are available, information about attributes of the items and information about searches done by users of the site, and   delivering to the site, in exchange for a fee, information that enables the site to display, to the users, diagrams that portray the items that meet the searches, in the context of the attributes of those items.   
     
     
         94 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 enabling users to view graphically how different available items compare to one another, with respect to attributes of the available items, by enabling the users to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the items, in the context of indicators of their attributes,   measuring uses by the users of the displayed diagrams, and   assessing fees, based on the measured uses.   
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94  in which the fees are based on a difference between conduct of, attitude towards, or awareness of items of users who used the displayed diagrams and those who did not. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 94  also including measuring conduct, attitude towards, or awareness of items related to the uses of the displayed diagrams as a measure of their effectiveness and assessing fees based on the effectiveness. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 94  in which the users are members of a site that identifies the available items. 
     
     
         98 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 serving webpages that identify used cars for sale, and   in response to a user searching for used cars that meet specified attributes, enabling the user to view graphically how the different used cars that meet the attributes compare to one another by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the used cars in the context of indicators of at least their prices and aging.   
     
     
         99 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 serving webpages that identify new cars for sale, and   in response to a user searching for new cars that meet specified attributes, enabling the user to view graphically how the different new cars that meet the attributes compare to one another by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the new cars in the context of indicators of at least their selling prices, manufacturer's suggested retail prices, or dealer invoice prices.   
     
     
         100 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 serving webpages that identify flights, boat rides, or trains that have available seats, and   in response to a user searching for flights, boat rides, or trains that meet specified attributes, enabling the user to view graphically how the different flights, boat rides, and trains that meet the attributes compare to one another by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the flights, boat rides, or trains in the context of indicators of at least their times and prices.   
     
     
         101 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 serving webpages that identify people who are available for relationships,   in response to a user searching for people that have specified attributes, enabling the user to view graphically how the different people who meet the attributes compare to one another by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the people in the context of indicators of at least their sex, age, and location.   
     
     
         102 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 serving web pages that identify real properties that are available,   in response to a user searching for properties that have specified attributes, enabling the user to view graphically how the different properties that meet the attributes compare to one another by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the properties in the context of indicators of at least their price, size, and location.   
     
     
         103 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 serving web pages that identify boats that are available,   in response to a user searching for boats that have specified attributes, enabling the user to view graphically how the different boats that meet the attributes compare to one another by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the boats in the context of indicators of at least their price, size, and engine hours.   
     
     
         104 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 serving web pages that identify items for sale at auction,   in response to a user searching for items for sale at auction that have specified attributes, enabling the user to view graphically how the different properties that meet the attributes compare to one another by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the auction items in the context of indicators of at least their price, time to auction closing, and location.   
     
     
         105 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 serving web pages that identify restaurants,   in response to a user searching for restaurants that have specified attributes, enabling the user to view graphically how the different restaurants compare to one another by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the restaurants in the context of indicators of at least their quality ratings.   
     
     
         106 . A computer-implemented method comprising
 enabling a user to view graphically how different available items compare to one another, with respect to attributes that include at least two of price, size, location, timing, and rating, by enabling the user to control what is shown in a displayed diagram that portrays the items, in the context of indicators of their attributes.   
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user controls what is shown to him by zooming in on a region of the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram is altered dynamically in response to the refining of the search. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling a user to insert at least one line to show suggested prices from third-party pricing sources along a continuum of age or wear. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram has regions, where different regions are displayed using different appearances or names based on their location within the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user is enabled to control what is shown by controlling data points or data subsets that are included in the displayed diagram, based upon specific criteria. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 1  in which the displayed diagram portrays an estimate of the future value of an item taking account of age or aware of the item. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user is enabled to control what is shown in the displayed diagram by identifying an item with respect to which at least some information should not be included in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113  in which no information about the identified item is shown in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 1  in which the user is enabled to control what is shown either by defining search criteria for items in a search facility, or by interacting with the displayed diagram, or both. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 1  in which at least one of the attributes comprises a non-quantitative attribute and the indicators of the attributes are displayed in the diagram ordinally. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 1  in which enabling the user to control what is shown in the displayed diagram comprises enabling the user to choose a number of items to be identified in the displayed diagram. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 117  in which one of the attributes comprises distance and the items are identified in the displayed diagram in order from smaller to larger distances. 
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 118  in which the distance is determined using at least one of an address, a venue, or an attraction. 
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling the user to view graphically and simultaneously two or more displayed diagrams that identify items. 
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 1  including normalizing values of one of the attributes along a normalized line using available information about the values and simultaneously identifying items in terms of their values relative to the normalized line. 
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 121  in which the attributes comprises price and the items are identified in terms of their prices relative to the normalized price line.