ITRM20120407A1 - QUALIFEED - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESEARCH THROUGH A WEB APPLICATION OF CLASSIFIED ACTIVITIES BASED ON A QUALITY SCORE ASSIGNED BY USERS - Google Patents

Description

TITLE - QUALIFEED. Method and system for searching through a web application of activities classified according to a quality score assigned by users

Description. Premises. The growing and general use of the internet but above all the global explosion of the end of social networks has led to the present invention which can be freely used to search for activities and consult services and to find useful information about the work of same activities provided by means of an evaluation expressed by the users themselves. Through the search engine the results are displayed sorted according to predefined quality criteria. The results of the searches consist of the ACTIVITIES registered in the system, or those that have carried out the registration procedure. The system, in fact, unlike search engines, does not collect information automatically from the web but only manages the data entered by the Users and registered Activities.

The ACTIVITIES have a space available (profile) in which to enter presentation information and the categories to which they belong. Each category can be commented by the JUDGES (registered users) who can assign a vote. Categories are the keys to the search.

Each search result will be a list of ACTIVITIES ordered in descending order according to the quality score calculated by the system according to the established method.

OPERATIVE MODE. EXAMPLE OF OPERATION

The system is designed and structured to search for Activities. This search can be carried out directly from the Home Page (main page) [1] of the system by entering the name of the Business, if already known, or by categories, locations, keywords.

The results of the research [2] are presented sorted according to the pre-established quality criteria in order to highlight those with the highest score. All results are listed in descending order of quality and eventually distributed over several pages.

By clicking on the result of interest, the User can view the profile (profile) of the Activity [3].

The Activity form is structured to contain all the relevant information: description, address, telephone and contact numbers. The creation of the account (registration) and the related card is the responsibility of the owner or legal representative of the business.

The sheet highlights the activity quality scores for the categories for which it was registered. Comments can only be viewed by registered users.

In this example we consider two possible scenarios for the search [4]: the first case provides that the User is looking for a new Activity; the second case, on the other hand, assumes that the User already knows the Business or is a customer / user of it and has the will to express a quality judgment by leaving a comment.

In the first case, the User selects the Activity corresponding to his requests from the results obtained in the research carried out previously. He examines the activity sheet by reading the information reported and the scores assigned by users. Comments can only be viewed by registered users.

The user could then contact factivity through direct channels (telephone, e-mail) or through the site (private message to the profile of the activity).

The first case of the User looking for a new Business is therefore considered concluded. The goal is achieved. Subsequently, the same User can return to consulting the system for other searches [2] or to express a quality judgment by leaving a comment. In the second case examined, the User has the will to leave a comment in the Activity sheet expressing a quality judgment. To perform this operation you must be a registered user [5].

If the user has not previously registered in the system [6], he can proceed by entering his data and creating his own Profile. The profiles differ if the registration is made as an Activity or as a User: the data and the card displayed starting from the searches on the site will therefore be different.

The already registered User, after having logged in and being recognized by the system, has the possibility of assigning a vote to one or more categories to which the Activity belongs and insert a brief comment [7]. All comments will be public, viewable by registered users.

Votes without comment are not allowed.

At the choice of the Activity, the categories can be each divided and composed into several sub-categories, thus requiring the User to vote for each individual sub-category. The final grade assigned to the category will be the result of the average grade expressed for the individual sub-categories.

The Business receives the report of the evaluation [8] and has the opportunity to publicly respond to the comment received.

If the Business responds to the comment received [9], for example to request explanations regarding the reasons for the vote or to add its point of view, a public debate with the User can begin.

The alternative possibilities are now examined if the opinion expressed by the User is positive or negative, or if the User liked or was satisfied with the performance, the service provided or the product provided by the activity. [10]. NEGATIVE opinion expressed by the User. [11] Decreases the quality score assigned to the category of the Activity being assessed. This involves:

- Worse visibility (the activity will be lower in the ranking of the search results for the category belonging to and subject of the vote)

- Lower quality score associated with the category in the Activity sheet (Profile).

The Business can enter an identification code on its official network website which, via direct connection to the system, displays the Qualifeed logo with an indication of the score obtained. There are two versions:

logo with activity quality score;

logo with quality score for each sector to which the business belongs.

If the user's negative vote results in the failure to reach the pre-established minimum score threshold [12], the connection code will no longer be available in the Profile and the logo will not be displayed on the official website of the Activity network.

The User has expressed a negative opinion. Did you follow the positive comment or suggestion of another user in choosing the business to contact? [13]

If the User has followed advice, he can also express an opinion towards the other User by expressing a negative quality judgment [14]. Also in this case, no comments without comment are allowed. Negative reviews mark a user as "untrustworthy".

As can be seen from the example, therefore, both Users and Activities can assume the dual role of "judged" and "judges".

Since the chosen Activity did not correspond to expectations or needs, the User can examine the other results of his research [2].

Opinion expressed by the POSITIVE user. [15]

Increase in the quality score for the category of the Activity subject of the vote. This involves:

- Better visibility (the activity will be higher in the ranking of search results for the category being evaluated)

- Higher quality score associated with the category in the Activity sheet (Profile)

If the positive vote of the User means that the pre-established minimum score threshold [16] is exceeded, the connection code will be made available in the profile of the Activity and the Qualifeed logo with the indication of the score obtained will be displayed on the website of the Activities.

The User has expressed a positive opinion. Did you follow the positive comment or suggestion of another user in choosing the business to contact? [17]

If the User has followed advice, he can also express an opinion towards the other User by expressing a positive quality judgment [18]. Reviews without comment are not allowed. Positive reviews mark a User as "trustworthy".

The User has a space available in his / her profile in which to organize the Activities of his / her preference. This space is called "Address Book" and can be shared with other users. In this way, the Address Book of a User marked as "reliable" will be taken as a reference within the system community. In the example considered, the User can add the Activity to his / her Address Book [19] cataloging it appropriately. The user experience can be considered concluded here. New research may be carried out [1].

Characteristics of the solution and objectives

The main objective is to give visibility to the Activities in the research and consultation phase on the internet by the potential user obtained on the basis of criteria expressing the quality perceived by their own customers or users as an alternative to the classic search engines that consider popularity criteria. .

The Activities will also be able to transparently present their "references" through the comments and opinions of users. Companies, in particular, will be able to imprint specific marketing strategies by inviting their customers to leave a message to express the degree of satisfaction regarding the service received.

Registered users, whether individuals or companies, will be able to organize activities of interest to them in the address book of their profile. This feature is designed to make the system a useful tool to be used frequently and not just episodically for searches.

The method can also be used as a marketing tool to directly verify the interest and feedback from the public of new products, services, ideas, etc. based on the judgment and comments of users registered on the site.

Claims (9)

TITLE - QUALIFEED Method and system for searching through a web application of activities classified on the basis of a quality score assigned by users. Claims. 1. Method and system for searching for activities ordered based on a quality score assigned by the users of the service and / or product [15] by applying an algorithm that assigns a quality score. 2. Method and system which, according to claim 1, acquires a quality evaluation expression of a judgment of merit assigned by the user of the service and / or product for each category to which the service and / or product belongs [7]. 3. Method and system according to which according to claim 2, subcategories dependent on the main category are cataloged for a more detailed classification, subcategories to which quality evaluations are in turn attributed. 4. Method and system according to claim 2, which attributes a quality score following the use of a service or product provided by a specific activity [7]. 5. Method and system which according to claim 1 is calculated by means of an algorithm [5] starting from the satisfaction data obtained for the categories and / or sub-categories of activities expressed by the users of the service and / or product. 6. Method and system which, according to claim 2, attributes the Logo Qualifeed [16] with an identifying and univocal code that the businesses can insert on their website for a real-time view of the quality result obtained. 7. Method and system according to which according to claim 2, the user and activity parties can establish a direct contact on the web for a public comparison regarding the service offered and the judgment given [9]. 8. Method and system that according to claim 2, assigns a score of reliability and / or credibility towards users [14] and [18]. 9. Method and system that according to claim 1, the user using the system can connect to his profile an address book that collects the favorite contacts selected from the names registered in the system [19].