Method and apparatus for receiving, storing and providing data corresponding to geometrically describable raw materials
First Claim
1. A method employing a programmable computer for providing a list of data items corresponding to geometrically describable raw materials based upon a request profile specified by an information client, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) storing in a data base, a plurality of data items including a first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item offered for sale by a supplier;
b) receiving a request profile from an information client, the request profile including a second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item sought by the information client;
c) comparing the request profile having the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters with each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters;
d) identifying each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters which match the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters of the request profile; and
e) providing each of the plurality of data items identified in step d to the information clients;
wherein the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters for each data item has a first plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith; and
wherein the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters for the profile has a second plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith; and
wherein step b further comprises the step of;
normalizing the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters having the second plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith to correlate with the first plurality of weight and measure units.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method employing a programmable computer for providing a list of data items corresponding to geometrically describable materials based upon a profile specified by a user includes, storing data items in a data base. Each data item includes geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item offered for sale by an advertiser. A profile is generated by a user which includes geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item sought for purchase by the user. The profile identified by the user is compared to each data item stored in the data base and data items are identified which match the profile. The data item identified are provided to the user in accordance with the user'"'"'s specific delivery instructions.
86 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method employing a programmable computer for providing a list of data items corresponding to geometrically describable raw materials based upon a request profile specified by an information client, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) storing in a data base, a plurality of data items including a first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item offered for sale by a supplier; b) receiving a request profile from an information client, the request profile including a second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item sought by the information client; c) comparing the request profile having the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters with each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters; d) identifying each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters which match the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters of the request profile; and e) providing each of the plurality of data items identified in step d to the information clients; wherein the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters for each data item has a first plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith; and
wherein the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters for the profile has a second plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith; and
wherein step b further comprises the step of;normalizing the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters having the second plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith to correlate with the first plurality of weight and measure units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for providing a list of data items corresponding to geometrically describable raw materials based upon a request profile specified by an information client comprising:
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means for storing in a data base, a plurality of data items including a first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item offered for sale by a supplier; means for receiving a request profile from an information client, the request profile including a second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item sought by the information client; means for comparing the request profile having the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters with each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters; means for identifying each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters which match the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters of the request profile; and means for providing each of the plurality of data items to the information client; wherein the first plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters for each data item has a first plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith; and
wherein the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters for the profile has a second plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith;
the apparatus further comprising;means for normalizing the second plurality of geometrically descriptive terms and trading parameters having the second plurality of weight and measure units associated therewith to correlate with the first plurality of weight and measure units. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method employing a programmable computer for providing a list of data items based upon a request profile specified by an information client, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) storing in a data base, a plurality of data items including a first plurality of terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item offered for sale by a supplier; b) receiving a request profile from an information client, the request profile including a second plurality of terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item sought by the information client; c) comparing the request profile having the second plurality of terms and trading parameters with each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of terms and trading parameters; d) identifying each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of terms and trading parameters which match the second plurality of terms and trading parameters of the request profile; and e) providing each of the plurality of data items identified in step d to the information client; wherein the first plurality of terms and trading parameters for each data item has a first plurality of units associated therewith; and
wherein the second plurality of terms and trading parameters for the profile has a second plurality of units associated therewith; and
wherein step b further comprises the steps of;normalizing the second plurality of terms and trading parameters having the second plurality of units associated therewith to correlate with the first plurality of units.
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20. Apparatus for providing a list of data items based upon a request profile specified by an information client comprising:
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means for storing in a data base, a plurality of data items including a first plurality of terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item offered for sale by a supplier; means for receiving a request profile from an information client, the request profile including a second plurality of terms and trading parameters identifying characteristics of an item sought by the information client; means for comparing the request profile having the second plurality of terms and trading parameters with each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of terms and trading parameters; means for identifying each of the plurality of data items having the first plurality of terms and trading parameters which match the second plurality of terms and trading parameters of the request profile; and means for providing each of the plurality of data items to the information client; wherein the first plurality of terms and trading parameters for each data item has a first plurality of units associated therewith; and
wherein the second plurality of terms and trading parameters for the profile has a second plurality of units associated therewith;
the apparatus further comprising;means for normalizing the second plurality of terms and trading parameters having the second plurality of units associated therewith to correlate with the first plurality of units.
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21. A method of employing a programmable computer for storing a plurality of data items, each data item including a plurality of terms and trading parameters having a plurality of standard units associated therewith, the plurality of terms and trading parameters and the plurality of standard units identifying characteristics of an item offered for sale by a corresponding supplier, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first data item corresponding to an object being offered for sale by a supplier, the first data item including a plurality of first terms and trading parameters and a plurality of first units associated therewith; determining a relationship between the plurality of first units and the plurality of standard units; and normalizing the plurality of first terms and trading parameters having the plurality of first units to a plurality of converted terms and trading parameters associated with the plurality standard units; and storing data items corresponding to at least one of the plurality of first terms and trading parameters and the relationship between the first plurality of units and the plurality of standard units, and the converted plurality of first terms and trading parameters in the programmable computer; wherein the programmable computer receives a request profile specified by an information client, the programmable computer correlates the request profile to the stored data items, and advises the information client as to which stored data items most closely match the request profile.
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Specification