Method and system for on-line, real-time, interactive collaborative visualization

Abstract

An inventive system and method for collaborative commerce is presented. The invention comprises activating an art board, placing items onto the art board, inviting users to interact with the art board, and collaborating with the invited users. Additional features and functions include purchasing items shown on the art board, including by placing the items in a shopping cart, using e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging to invite users, who may be chosen from a buddy list. Collaborating can be performed using voice chatting, video chatting, instant messaging, and text messaging, and includes examining reviews, ratings, reputations, and recommendations, and also includes displaying details regarding the items. In addition, reports comprising information regarding the items can be generated. A toolbar can be located on the art board and used to initiate inviting of users and placing of items onto the art board.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for collaborative commerce comprising:
 activating an art board using a processor; 
 placing one or more items onto said art board; 
 inviting one or more users to interact with the art board, at least one of said one or more invited users placing one or more additional items onto said art board; and 
 collaborating, using the processor, among the one or more users regarding the items and the additional items placed on the art board, 
 wherein the art board comprises windows including: 
 a main window for placing images; 
 a dialogue window; 
 a recently viewed items window; 
 an item information window for describing an item; and 
 wherein when two or more items are displayed on the art board and one of the two items is selected, details of the selected item are displayed in the item information window. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising purchasing one or more of said items. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said step of purchasing comprises placing said items in a shopping cart. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of inviting is performed using at least one of e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in said step of inviting, the one or more users are chosen from a buddy list. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of collaborating is performed using at least voice chatting, video chatting, instant messaging, and text messaging. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of collaborating comprises one or more of ranking the items, reviewing the items, determining reputations of the items and reporting statistical data about the items. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of collaborating comprises displaying details regarding said one or more items. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising reporting information regarding the one or more items. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of placing and said step of inviting are each initiated using a toolbar. 
     
     
       11. A computer readable medium having computer readable program for operating on a computer for executing collaborative commerce, said program comprising instructions that cause the computer to perform the steps of:
 activating an art board; 
 placing one or more items onto said art board; 
 inviting one or more users to interact with the art board, at least one or said one or more invited users placing one or more additional items onto said art board; and 
 collaborating among the one or more users regarding the items and the additional items placed on the art board, 
 wherein the art board comprises windows including: 
 a main window for placing images; 
 a dialogue window; 
 a recently viewed items window; and 
 an item information window for describing an item; and 
 wherein when two or more items are displayed on the art board and one of the two items is selected, details of the selected item are displayed in the item information window. 
 
     
     
       12. A system for collaborative commerce comprising:
 a processor to enable an art board enabling collaborationfor collaborating among a plurality of users comprising a host user and one or more invited users; 
 a network-based marketplace; and 
 a plurality of items, wherein at least one item of said plurality of items is placed onto said art board by the host user from said network-based marketplace, and at least one additional item is placed onto said art board by one or more of said invited users, and said collaboration occurs among the plurality of users regards regarding the items and the additional items placed onto the art board, 
 wherein the art board comprises windows including: 
 a main window for placing images; 
 a dialogue window; 
 a recently viewed items window; 
 an item information window for describing an item; and 
 wherein when two or more items are displayed on the art board and one of the two items is selected, details of the selected item are displayed in the item information window. 
 
     
     
       13. The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the host user invites one or more of said plurality of users to collaborate on said art board. 
     
     
       14. The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said host inviting is performed using at least one of e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging and the one or more of said plurality of users are chosen from a buddy list. 
     
     
       15. The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a shopping cart having items being purchased. 
     
     
       16. The system according to  claim 12 , wherein collaborating is performed using at least voice chatting, video chatting, instant messaging, and text messaging. 
     
     
       17. The system according to  claim 12 , wherein collaborating comprises one or more of ranking the items, reviewing the items, determining reputations of the items and reporting statistical data about the items. 
     
     
       18. The system according to  claim 12 , wherein collaborating comprises displaying details regarding said one or more items. 
     
     
       19. The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising reports having reporting information regarding the one or more items. 
     
     
       20. The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a toolbar initiating placing items onto said art board and host inviting. 
     
     
       21. A method comprising:
 activating an art board using a processor by a first user;   placing a first item onto said art board by said first user;   inviting a person to interact with the art board, said invited person accepting the invitation thereby becoming a second user;   placing an additional item onto said art board by said second user; and   collaborating between the first user and the second user, using the processor, with respect to the first item and the additional item placed on the art board;   wherein the art board comprises:   a first dialogue box for collaborating using only text;   a main window for placing images;   a recently viewed items window;   an item information window for describing an item;   wherein the dialogue box is overlaid on the art board, and   wherein two or more items are displayed on the art board and one of the two items is selected, and wherein details of the selected item are displayed in the item information window.   
     
     
       22. A method comprising:
 activating an art board using a processor by a first user;   placing a first item onto said art board by said first user;   inviting a second person to interact with said activated art board;
 wherein said second person accepts said invitation, thereby becoming a second user; 
   making said art board accessible to the second user;   placing an additional item onto said art board by a second user; and   collaborating between the first user and the second user, using the processor, with respect to the first item and the additional item placed on the art board;   wherein the art board comprises:   a main window for placing images;   a dialogue window;   an item information window for describing an item;   a recently viewed items area, overlaid on the art board, which shows the recently viewed items, and   wherein two or more items are displayed on the art board and one of the two items is selected, and wherein details of the selected item are displayed in the item information window.   
     
     
       23. A system comprising:
 a first computer for hosting an art board onto which items may be placed;   a second computer in communication with said first computer;   a third computer in communication with said first computer;   wherein said second computer is configured to place a first item onto said art board of said first computer;   wherein said second computer is configured to send an invitation to a third computer to allow access to said art board;   wherein said third computer is configured to place a second item onto said art board of said first computer, and   wherein said second computer and said third computer are configured to allow collaboration to occur on the first item and the second item placed on the art board;   wherein the art board comprises windows including:   a main window for placing images;   a dialogue window;   a detailed product information window; and   a recently viewed items window;   wherein when two or more items are displayed on the art board, and one of the items is selected, details of the selected item are displayed in the detailed product information window.