FR3148100A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMPARING MULTI-SITE INTERNET ADS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating searches by a user on a website, more particularly facilitating searches relating to advertisements offering products and services. Abstract Figure: 1

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMPARING MULTI-SITE INTERNET ADS Field of invention

The invention relates to a method and system for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet.

State of the art

The Internet has been used for many years for a wide variety of applications. One such application, developed in recent years, is to create sites specializing in the sale of goods and services. For example, one of these particularly well-known sites is a site offering real estate transactions.

Through such sites, a user looking for accommodation can identify a multitude of advertisements, which offer different types of properties. These advertisements concern, for example, accommodation available for rent but also accommodation / land offered for sale.

One of the advantages for a user looking for a property is that they can, from a location of their choice, analyze a multitude of real estate listings in order to, firstly, get an idea of the prices displayed for certain types of real estate, located in a specific area. Once the user of this type of site has completed a preliminary search of their choice, they can select a few listings for specific properties and begin the process of a more detailed search in the hope of being able to identify a property that suits them.

One of the problems with this type of site is that there are a multitude of different sites, all offering more or less the same type of possibilities and services. In the example related to real estate offers, these are sites offering offers of properties to rent or properties/land offered for sale. Given the number of sites available, it is almost impossible for a person looking for real estate to analyze all the available ads and visit the properties concerned.

Even if the user focuses on just one of these sites, the quantity of advertisements is such that it is difficult to analyze all of the advertisements optimally in order to identify the properties most suited to their search.

Another problem with the multitude of sites available, and the amount of ads available on each of them, is that an effective search is difficult to carry out if the user has to consult the same page several times, at different times in order to complete the search.

Yet another problem with having so many sites is that it is difficult to keep track of all the changes that are made to these listings, such as listings that are deleted because the property is no longer available or listings where the price of the property has changed.

In order to enable the user of the aforementioned sites to carry out more effective and targeted searches, it is necessary to have tools at his disposal to add functionalities to said sites. These functionalities make it possible to more optimally administer the progress of a search on such sites, thus improving the exchange of data obtained on these sites by one or more users.

The invention consists in providing a method and a system allowing the display and/or storage of data retrieved from a website, thereby improving searches carried out on said site concerning a multitude of advertisements linked to a specific good or product.

Subject of the invention

In view of the above observations, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a method for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet, said method comprising the following steps:

- provide a platform for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet, the platform enabling a first user among a determined number of users to create a personal account,

- install, by the first user, a module linked to the personal account of said first user on the platform, said module being configured to retrieve specific data on internet pages of specific websites,

- access the Internet, by the first user, using an Internet browser and said module,

- select by the first user, using the internet browser, a first and second internet page,

- retrieve, by means of said module, specific data on the first and second selected internet pages,

- display, to the first user, the specific data of the first and second selected web pages, by means of the platform, to enable the comparison of the specific data of the first selected web page with the specific data of the second selected web page.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said module comprises an extension of an internet browser adapted to add at least one functionality to said internet browser.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said module comprises a dedicated application.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the module is configured to retrieve specific data from at least one first website in which the first and second selected internet pages are a first and second internet pages of said at least one first website.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the module is configured to retrieve specific data from at least a first and second website, the second website being different from the first website, in which the first selected internet page is a web page of said at least one first website and in which the second selected internet page is a web page of said at least one second website, different from the first website.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the method makes it possible to store a copy of the specific data of the first and second internet pages selected by the first user in a general database of the platform.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the method makes it possible to store a copy of the specific data of the first and second internet pages selected by the first user in a user database of the platform relating to the account of the first user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the specific data of the first and second internet pages selected by the first user are retrieved in real time.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the canonical data of the first and second selected internet pages are retrieved and stored.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to a system for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet, said method comprising:

- a platform for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet, the platform enabling a first user among a determined number of users to create a personal account, said platform comprising at least a general database and user databases, linked to the determined number of users,

- a suitable module, said module being installed by said first user and being linked to the personal account of said first user on the platform, said module being configured to retrieve specific data on web pages of specific websites,

- access to the Internet, to allow the first user, using an Internet browser and the module, to access the Internet,

- a selector to allow the first user, by means of the internet browser, to select a first and second internet page,

- a retriever to retrieve, by means of the module, specific data on the first and second selected internet pages,

- a screen for displaying, to the first user, the specific data of the first and second selected web pages, by means of the platform, to enable the comparison of the specific data of the first selected web page with the specific data of the second selected web page.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said module comprises an extension of an internet browser adapted to add functionality to said internet browser.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said module comprises a dedicated application.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method.

The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating searches performed by a user on a website, more particularly facilitating searches relating to advertisements offering products and services.

The aim, object and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given with reference to the figures in which:

shows a schematic view of a system for carrying out the method according to the present invention,

represents a detailed view of an example showing the retrieval of specific data from a website and modifying it, and

represents a flow chart of the process showing the different steps of the present invention.

• Le terme : « données récupérées sur internet » signifie qu’un utilisateur peut retrouver sur internet des informations, par exemple se présentant sous la forme d’une annonce ou d’un service. Lesdites données concernent par exemple une description précise d’un bien ou d’un service concerné, le prix, les critères et autres particularités liées audit bien ou service proposé.
• Le terme : « extension d’un navigateur » fait référence à une extension qui ajoute des caractéristiques et des fonctions à un navigateur. En règle générale, une extension est créée à l'aide de technologies web familières, telles que HTML, CSS et JavaScript. Par exemple, une extension peut tirer parti des mêmes API web que JavaScript sur une page web, mais elle a également accès à son propre ensemble d'API JavaScript. Cela signifie qu'au moyen d'une extension, un utilisateur peut faire plus qu'avec le code d'une page web.
• Le terme : « application dédiée » désigne un logiciel créé pour les besoins d'un projet, d'une entreprise ou d'une société donnés. Il peut s'agir d'une application de bureau (installée sur un ordinateur), d'une application mobile (installée sur un téléphone), d'une application web (accessible à partir du navigateur) ou de tout autre type de logiciel.

The following description refers to various terms used which should be understood as follows:

• The term "data retrieved from the Internet" means that a user can find information on the Internet, for example in the form of an advertisement or a service. Said data concerns, for example, a precise description of a good or service concerned, the price, the criteria and other particularities linked to said good or service offered.
• The term "browser extension" refers to an extension that adds features and functions to a browser. Typically, an extension is built using familiar web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. For example, an extension might take advantage of the same web APIs as JavaScript on a web page, but it also has access to its own set of JavaScript APIs. This means that by using an extension, a user can do more than they can with the code on a web page.
• The term: "dedicated application" refers to software created for the needs of a given project, business or company. It can be a desktop application (installed on a computer), a mobile application (installed on a phone), a web application (accessible from the browser) or any other type of software.

This description refers to a search performed by a user within a database concerning real estate. In a typical example, such a search may be performed by a user looking for a home, either to rent or to sell. This user has a multitude of sites available on which he can identify properties that interest him. Each of these sites offers a multitude of advertisements that propose different properties and allow the user to access additional information concerning, for example, the real estate agent / owner to contact concerning a particular property.

The present description refers to a module. Said module may comprise an extension of a browser. It should be understood that, during a first use, a user can use a browser of his choice and add an extension in order to obtain the functionality according to the present invention. Extensions are available for different browsers, such as Chrome^®, Chromium^®, Firefox^®and Safari^®. Alternatively, said extension may be integrated into a dedicated application in which said functionality is encapsulated in order to allow the user to benefit from the full functionality of the invention. For example, the user may download the aforementioned application or the extension. For example, the application may be adapted for Android or IOS.

It should be understood that the example of real estate sites is one example among hundreds of others. The present invention can also be applied to sites offering advertisements relating to any other good or service.

For the sake of complete information, other sites concerned could be sites related to household appliances, clothing, motor vehicles, bicycles, food, courses, insurance, financial products or any other goods or services.

According to the example used here, namely that of real estate, the user undertakes research on the internet in order to identify a specific property of interest for rental or purchase. For practical reasons, the example used refers to a user looking to purchase a property in a specific neighborhood, in a specific city.

First, the user identifies one or more sites specializing in the rental and sale of real estate in order to launch their search.

On a first selected site, the user launches his search using specific keywords and criteria that will allow him to identify a certain number of advertisements offering potentially interesting properties. These search criteria include, among other things, the location of the accommodation, the surface area of the property, its availability and its price.

As soon as the user launches his search on the internet, different ads are proposed to him according to his search criteria. It is possible that several of them turn out to be of interest to the user. In order to keep track of his search, and not to waste the time already invested in said search, the user takes notes allowing him to manage the information related to the sites visited and the properties identified and other notes allowing him to keep track of the ads that particularly caught his attention. The site on which the search was carried out does not allow, in an effective way, to ensure such management. In the case where a first site has not given sufficiently positive results, the user will continue his search on a second site. Here again, he will be confronted with a multitude of ads meeting these search criteria, and potentially of interest. In order not to waste the time invested in this second search, the user must again keep the data retrieved on this second site, manage this information of interest to him in order to be able to refer to it or analyze it later. The present invention aims to provide harmonized functionalities on the sites while said sites are themselves different.

It is obvious that if the user is forced to conduct his search on a multitude of different sites, the time needed to identify an optimal quantity of advertisements allowing him to form a precise idea of the available properties, their price, their surface area, their location, etc. is considerable. Despite this, the user does not have, according to the prior art, a powerful tool allowing him to effectively manage the results of his search. He must himself produce a tracking document, for example on an Excel spreadsheet (or any other document) in order to keep track of said results and identify the most relevant advertisements.

In practice, at present, users print the advertisements of interest which seem most relevant to their search.

The impossibility of keeping track of the results of one's searches, and therefore of ensuring optimal management of them, and thereby retaining the benefit of the time previously invested in said searches, represents several obvious disadvantages for the user.

First of all, it should be noted that a search carried out on the Internet, with the aim of identifying a good or a service, without having a high-performance tool for storing, managing and archiving the results obtained, is much more tedious than if one has the said high-performance adequate tool.

Furthermore, the user cannot optimally share the results of his search with a third party, especially if the third party is in a different location.

Furthermore, it should be noted that it is difficult to compare the results obtained from a search, currently carried out by a user on one site, with those obtained from a search carried out on another site, when the user carries out his searches on several different websites. This represents a real disadvantage and results from the fact that the information provided by said websites is organised differently.

It is currently recognized that an Internet search is only optimal if one is able to efficiently retrieve data provided by the various Internet sites consulted. This represents one of the bases of the present invention. To do this, the user must be able to have not only a browser but also an additional application, used as a module. Said module may comprise an extension of a browser, capable of identifying specific data on a website. To return to the example of real estate, discussed above, each site referencing advertisements relating to this field, provides information on the location where the property concerned is located. This location may be referenced, for example, by the city and the street in which it is located. Furthermore, each advertisement provides at least one indication concerning the price of the property concerned, provided in monetary value, for example a value of 245,000 euros. The advertisement also provides information relating to the surface area in ^m2 of the property concerned, or the presence of an elevator, a garage, etc.

Each website referencing this type of real estate advertisement presents the various information mentioned above in a different way. To enable an effective analysis of the advertisements present on the Internet, more particularly an optimal management of the results of a search carried out on these sites, the present invention allows the user to have a suitable module.

The said application presents the whole composed of the platform and the module. The said module is considered as an extension of a browser or a dedicated application and is used to recognize, within specific websites, different types of information relevant to the advertisement concerned. In other words, this module allows the user, once he has identified a relevant advertisement, to efficiently retrieve the data relating to the said advertisement.

The module according to the present invention can, for example, be developed as a complete application in which the browser extension is integrated. This means that the user does not need to download said extension. The application can be specifically adapted for use on a mobile phone.

When the user has retrieved the desired data, using said module according to the invention, the latter can use them in several ways. One of them consists in retrieving said data and storing them in a database defined by the user himself. Another possibility allows the user to retrieve this data and complete it by adding other information of his choice. For example, after retrieving certain data, the user can add comments to it which he can refer to later. This may be to indicate the reason why a particular advertisement is particularly relevant to him.

According to the present invention, the user has not only a module but also a database that can store various information related to the results of a specific search that he has carried out on the Internet. According to the invention, this database is linked to an account that the user will have created beforehand and which allows him to store and retrieve data later. The user can thus use the data thus stored to continue his search and/or carry out an analysis of said data.

According to the invention, the different accounts created by different users of the invention form an important source of information that can enrich the searches of said active users in the system. As explained in more detail below, the searches carried out by the various users are searches carried out by human beings who have all invested time and energy to retrieve data of particular value. This selection, carried out by the different users, represents a database grouping together information that is apparently more important than others and forms a rich source for completing searches that several users carry out on the Internet. This way of selecting information represents a new way of indexing and aggregating information in real time and ethically with respect to the source sites.

The fact that a user can store relevant information in a database linked to his own account allows him to share data he has previously retrieved with third parties.

For example, a user can share the results of one of their searches with several previously identified people. This means that, in the case where several people are searching for a property, all of them can analyze the existing search results, share and/or add comments to the data already retrieved from the internet.

Another example: several members of a group perform the same type of search and, during the retrieval process, alerts are set up so that a member of the group can receive an alert whenever he or she, or one of the other members of the group, selects the same page of interest on the Internet.

Another example is when a group of friends is searching for a holiday home. As soon as a group member selects an ad for a holiday home that has already been selected by one of the other group members, they receive an alert. This way, when searching, each group member has a clear idea of the type of ads that other group members are interested in. This feature makes the search process easier and speeds up the discovery of an ad that suits all group members.

As explained in more detail above, the fact that a user can store data in a database linked to his account, allows him to compare data retrieved on a first site with data retrieved on a second site. This can be achieved by means of the module, adapted to retrieve specific data on a first site, selected by the user, and specific data on a second site, different from the first, also selected by the same user. The search results are comparable because said module is able to identify and present data of the same type, from a first site, together with data of the same type, from a second site.

Furthermore, thanks to the present invention, information not available on the Internet can be generated and thus complement the searches carried out subsequently by one (or more) other user(s) on the Internet.

For example, when a user has retrieved different data on various advertisements related to a real estate property referenced on the Internet, the present invention makes it possible to generate a map of a city on which the location of the properties noted by the user on the website in question is identified. This makes it possible to obtain a visual representation of the properties selected by the user, even if the specialized site does not have the functionality of geolocalized maps.

The option of being able to generate a single plan, with the aim of indicating where properties offered on different sites are located, and this using the functionality of the comparator according to the invention, is of great interest for analyzing the relevance of classified ads.

For example, if a user is looking for a specific type of automobile, they are able to instantly locate available vehicles that interest them. If the user is able to locate a less expensive automobile, they may be willing to travel a long distance. On the other hand, if the buyer is looking for a less expensive product than an automobile, they are unlikely to be willing to travel a long distance for a small price difference.

There shows a schematic view of a first aspect of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 indicates a platform for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet. Said platform allows a first user, among multiple users, to create a personal account. The platform 10 is connected to the Internet, which is indicated schematically with the reference numeral 20. The connection between the platform 10 and the Internet 20 is indicated using the line 15. The platform 10 offers users a number of functionalities described in more detail below. One aspect of the platform 10 is that it comprises one or more databases 11 for storing data retrieved from the Internet by said users. The platform 10 also comprises a plurality of personal databases 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 which contain the information retrieved from the Internet and stored on an account specific to the user.

The example illustrated on the shows six personal databases 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 for the sake of clarity. In practice, the number of personal databases is, in principle, infinite and equal to the number of users listed in the system as shown in the .

Three users 41, 42, 43 are shown on the . For practical reasons, only these three users 41, 42, 43 are illustrated on this . In reality, the number of users is infinite.

Each user 41, 42, 43 is connected to the Internet 20 via the connections materialized on the , respectively using lines 51, 52, 53. On the , the connection between the users 41, 42, 43 and the Internet 20 is shown schematically. It should be understood that each user 41, 42, 43 is equipped with an electronic means, such as a computer, a tablet, a smartphone or other means, in order to be connected to the Internet 20, wired or wirelessly.

In order to benefit from the method according to the present invention, each user 41, 42, 43 creates a personal account on the platform 10, which allows them to use the functionalities provided by said platform 10, to store personal information there and also to benefit from the information provided by said platform 10.

According to the example illustrated on the , each user 41, 42, 43 has a personal database 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 within the platform 10. For example, the first user 41 is linked to the personal database 31, the second user 42 is linked to the personal database 32, etc.

A first use of the method according to the present invention allows, for example, the first user 41 to use the connection 51 to connect to the Internet 20. Using a browser, the first user 41 can surf the Internet 20. When creating his account on the platform 10, the first user 41 installed, on the device used to surf the Internet 20, a module adapted to add at least one functionality to the browser available in the electronic device of his choice. Said module of the first user 41 is linked to the personal account that he created on the platform 10. Said module is configured in such a way that it allows the recovery of specific data from the pages of the sites consulted by the user 41 on the Internet 20. Once connected to the Internet 20, the first user 41 launches a search using the browser and said module. During this search, the first user 41 selects, by means of the browser, a web page from a defined website for which the extension of said browser has been configured. In other words, the first user 41 manages to retrieve specific data, on the selected web page that he has chosen.

In practice, using a screen 61, the first user 41 makes visible the content of the website that he has selected. The use of a module, for example in the form of a browser extension by the user 41 allows him to retrieve specific data relating to the selected internet pages, which specific data is displayed on the screen 61 of said first user 41. Said specific data retrieved by the first user 41 being displayed on the screen 61, these can then be modified by said first user 41.

Considering, for example, a real estate advertisement, the functionality offered by the platform 10 provides a space allowing the first user 41 to add personal notes concerning said advertisement. Said notes may mention the reason why said advertisement is of particular interest. Thanks to the platform 10 and the functionality it offers, the first user 41 not only has the information provided by the internet 20 but can also improve said information by adding additional information that will be visible on the screen 61. Alternatively, it could be said that the platform 10 provides the option of adding data as an “overlay” via the screen 61. In other words, the first user 41 sees on his screen 61, information retrieved from the internet 20 as well as the comments that he has added to this initial information. On the , said “overlay” is materialized, schematically, with the reference number 62.

There also illustrates that the information retrieved by the first user 41 is stored within a general database 11 of the platform 10. Said general database 11 comprises a copy of all the websites visited by all the users 41, 42, 43 using the functionality of the platform 10. It should be understood that all the information retrieved and present within the general database 11 provides a rich source of information. Said general database 11 can be considered as a selection of important information found on the Internet 20. The fact that a user 41, 42, 43 has consulted, and especially selected, specific Internet pages gives them a certain value. The content of the general database 11 can be considered as a selection of “favorite” pages of a user 41, 42, 43.

As described above, the content of said general database 11 can be modified in order to add functionalities to the platform 10.

As also illustrated on the , the web pages consulted by the first user 41 are also stored within the personal database 31 intended for the first user 41. In addition, the additional information added by said first user 41, schematically represented by the “overlay” 62, is also stored in the personal database 31 of the first user 41. This means that, in the case where the first user 41 revisits the same web pages using the platform 10, the information that he has added is displayed, which allows him to take advantage of the time already invested during an initial search on these pages.

It can be emphasized, by referring to the , that the data and information have been retrieved and stored in the general database 11 and in the various personal databases 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 in a reliable, ethical and responsible manner. Indeed, thanks to the platform 10, the data are retrieved in real time, so no additional byte downloads are used on the source site. As explained above, the retrieval of the data therefore has no negative influence on the host of the source site from which they come. The data recovery, carried out within the general database 11, makes it possible to record a “canonical” version of the information consulted on the Internet 20. The information being stored on the general database 11, this makes it possible to consult the original version of a website as selected by the user 41, 42, 43 on the Internet 20. In addition, the information being stored on the general database 11, this makes it possible to display additional modifications relating to the advertisements (price, title, etc.). In the example of a real estate advertisement, the price of a property can be modified. It can also be added that each time a web page is consulted, a “canonical” version of said web page is stored in the general database 11. For reasons of economy, in the case where no modification is generated between the information already stored and the new information displayed to be stored in said general database 11, only the last modified version will remain stored there. On the other hand, in the event that changes are made to the information already stored in the general database 11, a new version, integrating said latest changes, is stored in said database. This makes it possible to keep a complete history of the advertisements consulted by the user 41, 42, 43.

The specific data of the web pages selected by the first user 41, stored in the general database 11 of the platform 10, are stored together with an identifier in the form of a URL of said web pages. This makes it possible to control whether a web page is presented for initial storage in the general database 11 or whether data linked to this page is already stored within said general database 11.

• Une copie des données spécifiques d’une page internet sélectionnée par le premier utilisateur 41 est stockée dans la base de données générale 11 de la plateforme 10 à l’aide d’une URL de ladite page internet comme identifiant pour lesdites données spécifiques,
• Si le premier utilisateur 41 consulte une autre page internet, les données spécifiques sont stockées à leur tour dans la base de données générale 11 de la plateforme 10. La seconde page internet aura un identifiant URL qui lui sera propre. Les données spécifiques de cette deuxième page, avec une deuxième URL, seront alors comparées aux données spécifiques de la première page, avec la première URL et également comparées avec les données spécifiques de toutes les URL déjà présentes dans la base de données générale 11 de la plateforme 10.
• Dans le cas où les données spécifiques, liées à la première URL et celles liées à la deuxième URL, sont identiques, les données spécifiques liées à la deuxième URL sont remplacées par les données spécifiques liées à la première URL.
• Dans le cas où les données spécifiques liées à la première URL sont différentes des données spécifiques liées à la deuxième URL, les données spécifiques, liées à la première URL et à la deuxième URL, présentes dans la base de données générale 11, sont stockées afin de permettre la comparaison entre lesdites données spécifiques, liées à ladite première URL et lesdites données spécifiques, liées à ladite deuxième URL.

A method for managing the contents of the general database 11 may have the following steps:

• A copy of the specific data of a web page selected by the first user 41 is stored in the general database 11 of the platform 10 using a URL of said web page as an identifier for said specific data,
• If the first user 41 consults another web page, the specific data are in turn stored in the general database 11 of the platform 10. The second web page will have a URL identifier that is specific to it. The specific data of this second page, with a second URL, will then be compared with the specific data of the first page, with the first URL and also compared with the specific data of all the URLs already present in the general database 11 of the platform 10.
• In case the specific data, linked to the first URL and those linked to the second URL, are identical, the specific data linked to the second URL is replaced by the specific data linked to the first URL.
• In the event that the specific data linked to the first URL are different from the specific data linked to the second URL, the specific data, linked to the first URL and to the second URL, present in the general database 11, are stored in order to allow the comparison between said specific data, linked to said first URL and said specific data, linked to said second URL.

In reference to the , it should be noted that the method according to the present invention allows the user 41, 42, 43 to benefit from the searches already carried out by another user 41, 42, 43. An example of this advantage: if the platform 10 receives a request from the second user 42 to access a web page, said platform 10 provides access to the content of said web page, as already consulted by the first user 41 and therefore stored in his personal database 31 on the platform 10, to said user 42.

In practice, the first user 41 has the possibility of providing the platform 10 with a list of listed users authorized to receive access to all or part of its database 31.

According to the present invention, it is possible to create a lookup table linked to the account of the first user 41 on the platform 10, said table listing the identity of the users authorized to access the content of the specific data as stored in the personal database 31 of said first user 41. After receiving the request of the second user 42, wishing to access a specific page on the Internet 20, the identity of said second user 42 is compared to the identities listed in the lookup table of the user 41. If the identity of the second user 42 is listed on said lookup table of the first user 41, the platform 10 authorizes access to said second user 42 who can then consult the specific data stored by said first user 41 on his personal database 31 on the platform 10.

According to a variant of the present invention, the second user 42 can process, in more detail, the specific data already stored by the first user 41 in his personal database 31, by modifying and/or completing them, then store said modified or completed specific data in his personal database 32 on the platform 10.

In reference to the , it should be understood that the database 11 of the platform 10 is obtained by a pooled aggregation by the different users 41, 42, 43. The specific data of an internet page are retrieved and stored in said database 11 even if the user 41, 42, 43 does not store them in his personal database 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. This makes it possible to create, in a pooled manner, a larger database which provides a multitude of information to the users 41, 42, 43 of the platform 10.

When said general database 11 is sufficiently supplied, the data thus stored can be used when launching a search, within said general database 11, on internet pages considered relevant for the user 41, 42, 43 of the platform 10. According to the method of the present invention, the aggregation of the data is reliable. The browser, used by the user 41, 42, 43, who downloads the internet pages, makes it possible to maintain this reliability. The specific data, accessible in the page consulted, are retrieved and stored in the general database 11.

At the opposite end of the spectrum from the method according to the present invention, the prior art proposes a "Web Scraping" robot that allows access to pages on the Internet and offers no other choice than to blindly trust the source codes (Document Object Model - DOM) without having a valid visual representation. This means that, according to the prior art, it is bandwidth consumed without the knowledge of the specific sites.

According to the present invention, each web page is consulted by a user 41, 42, 43, who is a human being. In the event that a user has incorrectly downloaded a web page, the user can download the same page again by manual action. Another example is the presence of an unexpected "pop-up". A user 41, 42, 43, would close such a "pop-up", reject the acceptance of "cookies" and click on "back" in the event of a redirection or other. This means that the information that is retrieved and stored in the different databases 11 and 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 is pre-prepared by the users 41, 42, 43 who ensure that the aggregation of the information obtained on the internet 20 is reliable.

Another observation: the data recovered using the method according to the present invention displays an exact time stamp, allowing the use of said method according to the invention by lawyers, in particular for bailiffs' reports.

As already mentioned above, when the general database 11 is sufficiently supplied, it offers the opportunity to add additional information and to transmit it to the users 41, 42, 43 using the system. The general database 11 can also provide statistics on actual use of consultation of advertisements by Internet users, and this concerning all the integrated sites available on the Internet 20.

The general database 11 offers another possibility according to which functionalities, not present on the different pages of the websites, are accessible. For example, for sites concerning offers related to real estate, the general database 11 makes it possible to generate statistics relating, for example, to the places where real estate is most sought after and how the searches carried out by users 41, 42, 43 can be compared to the general statistics.

The method according to the present invention also offers the possibility of carrying out group searches. Users 41, 42, 43 can form groups and request the display of the selections of all other participants in the group concerned concerning certain advertisements. This means that if user 41 consults an advertisement viewed and commented on by user 43, a member of the same group, user 41 can consult the advertisement as well as the comments entered by user 43. This allows members of the same group, in the case where some have to choose a good or service on the Internet 20, to benefit from the opinion and comments of the other members of this same group.

The results of all searches carried out by members of the same group can be gathered in a table where the details will be reorganized by line, according to criteria, personalized and predefined by the group, and by column for the different announcements.

The functionalities described above are available to users 41, 42, 43 through a “software” solution, of the SaaS type, which is an application “software” solution, accessible at the request of a user 41, 42, 43 via an internet connection. SaaS solutions, as well as their advantages, well known to those skilled in the art, are not explained in more detail in this description. The SaaS “software” solution can be billed in the form of a monthly or annual subscription, depending on the number of users 41, 42, 43. It is possible to offer said SaaS “software” solution in the form of “Freemium”, which means that a certain functionality of said “software” solution is available to each user 41, 42, 43, and that other functionalities are available only to obtain access via the payment of a determined amount.

The method described above, with reference to the , allows you to perform searches where heterogeneous results are compared with each other. This functionality is illustrated in the . As explained above, the user 41 performs a search on the Internet 20 to identify, for example, advertisements relating to the field of real estate.

There represents a schematic view of a first real estate advertisement 71 and a second real estate advertisement 72. According to the example of said , different types of information are represented by different geometric shapes. The geometric shape "round" can, for example, represent a photo. The geometric shape "horizontal rectangle" can, for example, represent the location of the goods that are the subject of the advertisements 71, 72. The functionalities offered by the platform 10 and the module, for example in the form of a browser extension, the user 41, 42, 43 can identify on each of the advertisements 71, 72, information of the same type. The module being configured to recognize information on the different advertisements 71, 72, the latter can identify information of the same nature and represent them differently in order to facilitate their comparison. The shows, schematically, that the different types of information are grouped together, for example in the form of a table, which makes it possible to compare the content of the advertisements, from different websites, said table displaying the information in a different representation and organization.

• Tout d’abord, la plateforme 10 (voir ) est adaptée pour fournir l’affichage et / ou le stockage de données spécifiques récupérées sur internet, ladite plateforme 10 permettant aux utilisateurs 41, 42, 43, parmi de nombreux autres utilisateurs, de créer un compte personnel.
• Chaque utilisateur 41, 42, 43 installe un module, tel qu’une extension de son navigateur internet, adapté pour ajouter, au moins, une fonctionnalité audit navigateur internet.
• Ledit module des utilisateurs 41, 42, 43, est lié au compte personnel de chacun d’entre eux sur la plateforme 10.
• Ledit module des utilisateurs 41, 42, 43, est configuré pour récupérer des données spécifiques sur les pages de sites internet déterminés.
• Selon une étape suivante, l’utilisateur 41, 42, 43 accède à l’internet 20 grâce au module, par exemple un navigateur de son choix et à l’extension dudit navigateur.
• Le premier utilisateur 41 sélectionne, au moyen du navigateur, une première et une deuxième page internet, par exemple la page 71 et la page 72 telles que représentées sur la .
• Les données spécifiques liées à la première page internet 71 et à la deuxième page internet 72 sont récupérées grâce à l’extension du navigateur internet.
• Les données spécifiques de la première page internet 71 et de la deuxième page internet 72, sélectionnées par le premier utilisateur 41, sont ensuite affichées, via la plateforme 10, afin de permettre la comparaison des données spécifiques de la première page internet 71 avec les données spécifiques de la deuxième page internet 72. Le cadre 73 de la représente une vue schématique de ladite comparaison.

According to an example of the present invention, the comparison of information relating to the different advertisements 71, 72 from different websites can be carried out according to the following steps:

• First, Platform 10 (see ) is adapted to provide the display and/or storage of specific data retrieved from the internet, said platform 10 allowing users 41, 42, 43, among many other users, to create a personal account.
• Each user 41, 42, 43 installs a module, such as an extension of his internet browser, adapted to add, at least, one functionality to said internet browser.
• Said module of users 41, 42, 43, is linked to the personal account of each of them on the platform 10.
• Said user module 41, 42, 43 is configured to retrieve specific data on the pages of determined websites.
• According to a next step, the user 41, 42, 43 accesses the Internet 20 using the module, for example a browser of his choice and the extension of said browser.
• The first user 41 selects, by means of the browser, a first and a second internet page, for example page 71 and page 72 as shown in the .
• The specific data related to the first web page 71 and the second web page 72 are retrieved using the web browser extension.
• The specific data of the first web page 71 and the second web page 72, selected by the first user 41, are then displayed, via the platform 10, in order to allow the comparison of the specific data of the first web page 71 with the specific data of the second web page 72. The frame 73 of the represents a schematic view of said comparison.

According to the present invention, the module comprising for example the browser extension can be configured such that the user 41, 42, 43 is capable of retrieving specific data from at least one first website, of which the first page 71 and the second page 72 selected are a first and a second internet page from said at least one first website.

The module, comprising for example the internet browser extension, can be configured such that the user 41, 42, 43 is capable of retrieving specific data from at least a first and a second internet site, the second internet site being different from the first internet site, in which the first selected internet page 71 is an internet page of said at least one first internet site, and in which the second selected internet page 72 is an internet page of said at least one second internet site, different from the first internet site.

According to the present invention, the method described above makes it possible to store a copy of the specific data of the first and second internet pages 71, 72 selected by the first user 41, in a personal database 31 or in a general database 11 of the platform 10.

As already mentioned, with reference to the , the specific data retrieved via the platform 10 can be retrieved in real time and the canonical data of the first web page 71 and the second web page 72 selected are retrieved and stored.

There represents a flow chart of the process showing the different steps of an embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that the invention allows data to be retrieved from the Internet, this being done by humans and not robots. This functionality differs from that which is practiced today, while being more ethical towards the owners of the sites, more ecological and more reliable. Indeed, the results being the fruit of a human selection, they are more relevant.

Examples:

The present invention provides the user with functionalities that are not available in the “search engine” devices described in the prior art.

First example:

A buyer wants to buy an electric scooter. He defines his most important criteria such as, for example, the price, the weight, the size, the battery life or the time needed to change the battery of the scooter.

Thanks to the invention, the buyer has information from different sites and can integrate it into a single document, an Excel table, for example. Once the information is gathered, the buyer only has to consult his table to finalize his choice.

Second example:

If we consider a professional use: a scooter manufacturer wants to introduce a new product on the market and uses the invention to carry out a market study. The invention allows the manufacturer to find information relating to the products best-selling by its competitors and, thanks to the analysis of said information, can make a decision concerning the characteristics of its new product.

The invention can also be used by real estate professionals. For example, a real estate agent can use the invention to estimate a property for one of his clients. Indeed, using the criteria previously defined by the client (location of the property, type of property sought, surface area of the property, presence of a balcony, a garage, etc.), the real estate agent is able to find the appropriate information, insert it into a table and print this table for his client. The buyer therefore has a precise document clearly indicating the price per ^m2 for the properties corresponding to the criteria of his search.

Claims (14)

A method for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet, said method comprising the following steps:
- provide a platform for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet, the platform enabling a first user among a determined number of users to create a personal account,
- install, by the first user, a module linked to the personal account of said first user on the platform, said module being configured to retrieve specific data on internet pages of specific websites,
- access the Internet, by the first user, using an Internet browser and said module,
- select by the first user, using the internet browser, a first and second internet page,
- retrieve, by means of said module, specific data on the first and second selected internet pages,
- display, to the first user, the specific data of the first and second selected web pages, by means of the platform, to enable the comparison of the specific data of the first selected web page with the specific data of the second selected web page. The method of claim 1, wherein said module comprises an extension of an internet browser adapted to add at least one functionality to said internet browser. The method of claim 1, wherein said module comprises a dedicated application. The method of claim 1 to 3, wherein the module is configured to retrieve specific data from at least one first website and wherein the first and second selected web pages are a first and second web pages of said at least one first website. The method of claim 1 to 3, wherein the module is configured to retrieve specific data from at least a first and second website, the second website being different from the first website, wherein the first selected web page is a web page of said at least one first website and wherein the second selected web page is a web page of said at least one second website, different from the first website. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:
- store a copy of the specific data of the first and second web pages selected by the first user in a general database of the platform. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:
- storing a copy of the specific data of the first and second web pages selected by the first user in a user database of the platform relating to the first user's account. A method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the specific data of the first and second web pages selected by the first user are retrieved in real time. The method of claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the canonical data of the first and second selected web pages are retrieved and stored. System for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet, said method comprising:
- a platform for displaying and/or storing data retrieved from the Internet, the platform enabling a first user among a determined number of users to create a personal account, said platform comprising at least a general database and user databases, linked to the determined number of users,
- a suitable module, said module being installed by said first user and being linked to the personal account of said first user on the platform, said module being configured to retrieve specific data on web pages of specific websites,
- access to the Internet, to allow the first user, using an Internet browser and the module, to access the Internet,
- a selector to allow the first user, by means of the internet browser, to select a first and second internet page,
- a retriever to retrieve, by means of the module, specific data on the first and second selected internet pages,
- a screen for displaying, to the first user, the specific data of the first and second selected web pages, by means of the platform, to enable the comparison of the specific data of the first selected web page with the specific data of the second selected web page. The system of claim 10, wherein said module comprises an extension of an internet browser adapted to add functionality to said internet browser. System according to claim 10, wherein said module comprises a dedicated application. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the method according to one of claims 1 to 9. A computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method according to one of claims 1 to 9.