System and method for retrieving information pertaining to product
First Claim
1. An order processing station for retrieving information pertaining to a product, comprising:
- a processor;
a memory;
a communication interface for interacting with at least one input station;
processing functionality, in conjunction with the processor and the memory, for performing the functions of;
(i) receiving a search query from a user, via the at least one input station, pertaining to a desired product;
(ii) investigating a database to determine whether any products include features which satisfy the query;
(iii) informing the user that the desired product is not available, if the database indicates that the product is not available;
(iv) recommending an alternative product as a proposed substitute for the desired product; and
(v) receiving a request from the user to order the alternative product and/or to place a request for the desired product on a waiting list to purchase when it becomes available.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A technique is provided for retrieving information pertaining to a product, including: (i) receiving a search query from a user pertaining to a desired product; (ii) investigating a database to determine whether any products include features that satisfy the query, and for generating search results; (iii) informing the user that the desired product is not available, e.g., if the database indicates that the product is not available; (iv) recommending an alternative product as a proposed substitute for the desired product; and (v) receiving a request from the user to order the alternative product and/or to place a request for the desired product on a waiting list. In one exemplary application, the products pertain to sealant-related goods.
60 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. An order processing station for retrieving information pertaining to a product, comprising:
-
a processor;
a memory;
a communication interface for interacting with at least one input station;
processing functionality, in conjunction with the processor and the memory, for performing the functions of;
(i) receiving a search query from a user, via the at least one input station, pertaining to a desired product;
(ii) investigating a database to determine whether any products include features which satisfy the query;
(iii) informing the user that the desired product is not available, if the database indicates that the product is not available;
(iv) recommending an alternative product as a proposed substitute for the desired product; and
(v) receiving a request from the user to order the alternative product and/or to place a request for the desired product on a waiting list to purchase when it becomes available.
-
-
2. A system for retrieving information pertaining to a product, comprising:
-
a user input station;
a database containing information pertaining to products, the database including;
first information identifying a set of searchable products;
second information identifying a set of available products;
an order processing station for interacting with the user input station, including;
logic for prompting a user to input a search query pertaining to a desired product, and for receiving the search query;
logic for investigating the first information in the database to determine whether any products include features which satisfy the search query, and for generating search results;
logic for notifying the user of the search results;
logic for receiving a request from the user to select at least one product identified in the search results;
logic for informing the user of the availability of the selected at least one product by making reference to the second information in the database, including;
(i) informing the user that the selected at least one product is available, if the database indicates that the selected at least one product is available;
(ii) informing the user that the selected at least one product is not available, if the database indicates that the selected at least one product is not available;
(iii) informing the user that at least one alternative product is available that is related to the at least one selected product, if the database indicates that the at least one selected product is not available and the at least one alternative product is available; and
logic for processing a user'"'"'s order for at least one product. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
15. A method for retrieving information pertaining to a product, comprising:
-
receiving a search query from a user pertaining to a desired product;
investigating a database to determine whether any products include features which satisfy the query, and for generating search results;
informing the user that the desired product is not available, if the database indicates that the product is not available;
recommending an alternative product as a proposed substitute for the desired product; and
receiving a request from the user to order the alternative product and/or to place a request for the desired product on a waiting list.
-
-
16. A method for retrieving information pertaining to a product, comprising:
-
prompting a user to input a search query pertaining to a desired product;
investigating a database to determine whether any products include features which satisfy the query, and for generating search results;
notifying the user of the search results;
logic for receiving a request from the user to select at least one product identified in the search results;
logic for informing the user of the availability of the selected at least one product by making reference to the database, including;
(i) informing the user that the selected at least one product is available, if the database indicates that the selected at least one product is available;
(ii) informing the user that the selected at least one product is not available, if the database indicates that the selected at least one product is not available;
(iii) informing the user that at least one alternative product is available that is related to the at least one selected product, if the database indicates that the at least one selected product is not available and the at least one alternative product is available; and
processing a user'"'"'s order for at least one product. - View Dependent Claims (30)
-
Specification