Product brokering method and system
First Claim
1. A method of facilitating a search by a user for a product from among a plurality of products, the products being defined by a set of measurable attributes, each product having a value for each attribute, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. facilitating user selection of one or more products;
b. combining the attribute values of the selected one or more products to produce a set of progeny attribute values;
c. selecting, from among the plurality of products, at least one candidate product based on the progeny attribute values; and
d. presenting the at least one candidate product to the user.
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Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, a computer-based tool helps a person choose a product from among many possible products. This assistance, sometimes referred to as product brokering, can be useful in electronic commerce for facilitating customer selection of products. An embodiment of the invention enables product selection by a person even if the person is unable to precisely or even explicitly specify what product features or characteristics the person desires. The person is presented with a relatively small set of possible products for comparison, and the computer-based tool solicits opinions from the person about the presented products. The computer-based tool extracts information about product characteristics that appeal to or repulse the person, and uses the extracted information to present the person with additional product choices. With each iteration of product presentation by the computer-based tool and expression of preferences by the person, an optimal product is identified.
70 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method of facilitating a search by a user for a product from among a plurality of products, the products being defined by a set of measurable attributes, each product having a value for each attribute, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. facilitating user selection of one or more products;
b. combining the attribute values of the selected one or more products to produce a set of progeny attribute values;
c. selecting, from among the plurality of products, at least one candidate product based on the progeny attribute values; and
d. presenting the at least one candidate product to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for facilitating a search for a product from among a plurality of products, the products being defined by a set of measurable attributes, each product having a value for each attribute, the system comprising:
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a. a user interface for facilitating user selection of at least one products;
b. a combination subsystem for combining the attribute values of the selected at least one products to produce a set of progeny attribute values;
c. a selection subsystem for selecting, from among the plurality of products, at least one candidate product based on the progeny attribute values; and
d. a result output for communicating the at least one candidate product to the user. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification