System, method, and article of manufacture for matching products to a textual request for product information

• US 20020026369A1
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Michael R., Miller, Gregory P., Carpenter, William H. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/783,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20020026369A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for matching products to a textual request. Upon receiving a request for information about an item, the request is parsed to determine attributes of the item. A search of a database is performed for selecting a plurality of products each having the attributes of the item. Information about the products is retrieved and output.

Claims

1. A method for matching products to a textual request, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a request for information about an item;

(b) parsing the request for determining attributes of the item;

(c) searching a database for selecting a plurality of products each having the attributes of the item;

(d) retrieving information about the products ; and

(e) outputting the information about the products.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of products have been preassociated based on the attributes.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the information about the products includes a name of a vendor of the products.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein criteria for selecting the vendor include at least one of price of the products, proximity to the vendor, availability of delivery, whether the products are in stock, wrapping availability, shipping availability, tracking availability, and a loyalty program.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the information about the products includes a name of a plurality of vendors of the products.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a promotional offer is output with the information about the products.

7. A computer program product for matching products to a textual request, comprising:

(a) computer code for receiving a request for information about an item;

(b) computer code for parsing the request for determining attributes of the item;

(c) computer code for searching a database for selecting a plurality of products each having the attributes of the item;

(d) computer code for retrieving information about the products ; and

(e) computer code for outputting the information about the products.

8. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of products have been pre-associated based on the attributes.

9. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the information about the products includes a name of a vendor of the products.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein criteria for selecting the vendor include at least one of price of the products, proximity to the vendor, availability of delivery, whether the products are in stock, wrapping availability, shipping availability, tracking availability, and a loyalty program.

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the information about the products includes a name of a plurality of vendors of the products.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein a promotional offer is output with the information about the products.

14. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the plurality of products have been pre-associated based on the attributes.

15. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the information about the products includes a name of a vendor of the products.

16. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein criteria for selecting the vendor include at least one of price of the products, proximity to the vendor, availability of delivery, whether the products are in stock, wrapping availability, shipping availability, tracking availability, and a loyalty program.

17. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the information about the products includes a name of a plurality of vendors of the products.

18. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein a promotional offer is output with the information about the products.

13. A system for matching products to a textual request, comprising:

(a) logic for receiving a request for information about an item;

(b) logic for parsing the request for determining attributes of the item;

(c) logic for searching a database for selecting a plurality of products each having the attributes of the item;

(d) logic for retrieving information about the products ; and

(e) logic for outputting the information about the products.