Systems and methods for storing and retrieving goods and services information using parameter/value databases

Abstract

Improvements for parametized storage and retrieval of multiple different types of marketplace items include: (a) providing lists recommended parameters to guide users' entry and searching of data; (b) limiting users to suggesting additions of new parameters to the system; (c) an item classification based in whole or in part upon a trademark classification; (d) a data structure in which value data is stored in cells of a table for which a given column can represent multiple different parameters; (e) values can comprise links that resolve to particular items of data other than a file, a web site, and an email address; data is loaded en masse, and then distributed to edge cache databases; and (f) users can privatize individual records and values within their loaded data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of storing descriptors of items comprising:
 providing a database having parameters associated with a classification;   providing a first parameter interface that accepts the classification for a new parameter, wherein the new parameter did not previously exist in the database; and   designating the new parameter as a new recommended parameter for the classification upon determining that the new parameter is used by a user of the database with the classification.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a second parameter interface to receive the classification as a selected classification and to display a list of parameters associated with the selected classification. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a second parameter interface to receive the classification as a selected classification and display the new recommended parameter associated with the selected classification. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a second parameter interface to receive the classification as a selected classification and display a non-recommended subset of the database parameters associated with the selected classification. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a second parameter interface to receive the classification as a selected classification and display a recommended subset of the database parameters associated with the selected classification. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a values interface configured to accept a submitted value to be associated with the new parameter, such that a new item is described on the database at least in part using a parameter-value pair comprising the new parameter and the submitted value. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising allowing the user to designate the value as private. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of designating the new parameter as a recommended parameter comprises receiving a discretionary choice from a human being. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rendering to the user a table displaying a subset of items that match the classification, wherein the items are filtered by values specified by a user corresponding to a recommended parameter selected by the user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the recommended parameter is the new recommended parameter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising using the table to show auction information selected from the group consisting of a last bid amount, a last bid date, a last bid time, and a bidder identifier. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising using the table to show personal want ad information. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising using the table to show employment listing information. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising using the table to show real estate listing information. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second parameter interface is further configured to automatically display a suggestion window whenever an input dialog receives text that fails to match a known parameter. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second parameter interface is further configured to (i) receive a selection of parameters to be used for a new item and (ii) automatically select a second parameter for the new item when the selection of parameters comprises a third parameter, wherein the second parameter is related to the third parameter. 
     
     
         17 . A method of storing descriptors of items, comprising:
 providing a database having parameters associated with a classification;   providing a first parameter interface that accepts the classification for a new recommended parameter; and   providing a second parameter interface to receive the classification as a selected classification and to display a list of parameters associated with the selected classification comprising (a) a non-recommended subset of the database parameters associated with the selected classification and (b) a recommended subset of the database parameters associated with the selected classification that includes the new recommended parameter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the non-recommended subset is differentiated from the recommended subset. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the new recommended parameter did not previously exist in the database. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein accepting the classification for the new recommended parameter comprises determining that the new recommended parameter is used by a user of the database with the classification.