Method and system for executing a guided parametric search
First Claim
1. A method of allowing a selection of a subset of items from a set of items using a server and a database, the server being coupled to the database, the method comprising:
- (a) responsive to receiving a first request, accessing the database, the database defining a set of groups, each group in the set of groups having a corresponding set of alternatives, the database defining at least one alternative for each item in the set of items, and wherein the set of groups includes at least one group having more than one alternative;
(b) transmitting a first response, the first response including first formatting information to display the set of groups and a first corresponding sets of alternatives, the first formatting information including instructions to simultaneously display at least two alternatives from the at least one group;
(c) responsive to receiving a second request, accessing the database to determine the subset of items, the second request corresponding to a selection of at least an alternative from the set of groups, the subset of items all including the selected alternative; and
(d) transmitting a second response, the second response including second formatting information to display the set of groups and a second corresponding sets of alternatives, the second corresponding sets of alternatives being determined from the subset of items and including at least one unavailable alternative, the second formatting information including instructions to display the unavailable alternative and any available alternatives in the second set of alternatives.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for identifying a single item from a family of items presents a user with a feature screen having a series of groupings. Each grouping represents a feature having a set of alternatives from which to select. Selected alternatives are used as a selection criteria in a search operation. Results of the search operation is a revised feature screen indicating alternatives that remain available to the user for further selection and searching. The feature screen and search process, therefore, presents the user with a guided nonhierarchical parametric search to identify matching items based upon user specified criteria and priorities. Also disclosed is an adaptation of the claimed method and system appropriate in an Internet environment.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of allowing a selection of a subset of items from a set of items using a server and a database, the server being coupled to the database, the method comprising:
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(a) responsive to receiving a first request, accessing the database, the database defining a set of groups, each group in the set of groups having a corresponding set of alternatives, the database defining at least one alternative for each item in the set of items, and wherein the set of groups includes at least one group having more than one alternative; (b) transmitting a first response, the first response including first formatting information to display the set of groups and a first corresponding sets of alternatives, the first formatting information including instructions to simultaneously display at least two alternatives from the at least one group; (c) responsive to receiving a second request, accessing the database to determine the subset of items, the second request corresponding to a selection of at least an alternative from the set of groups, the subset of items all including the selected alternative; and (d) transmitting a second response, the second response including second formatting information to display the set of groups and a second corresponding sets of alternatives, the second corresponding sets of alternatives being determined from the subset of items and including at least one unavailable alternative, the second formatting information including instructions to display the unavailable alternative and any available alternatives in the second set of alternatives. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for assisting a user in identifying a subfamily of items within a family of items, comprising the steps of:
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(a) means for providing a computer readable data file of stored information representing at least one family of items, wherein the family has features associated therewith and each said feature has alternatives associated therewith, the family comprising a plurality of items wherein each said item has one said alternative associated with each said feature, (b) means for displaying said features and said alternatives on a feature screen; (c) means for accepting at least one selected alternative; (d) means for determining the subfamily wherein each item in the subfamily satisfies said selected alternatives; (e) means for determining available alternatives and unavailable alternatives represented by the subfamily; and (f) means for revising said feature screen to reflect said available alternatives as distinct from said unavailable alternatives. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for assisting a user in identifying a subfamily of items within a family of items, comprising:
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(a) a database, the database representing at least one family of items and identifying at least one alternative for each item; (a) a computer system, being coupled to the database, having a first program to display available alternatives represented in the family, the computer system having an input to receive selected alternatives, the computer system further having a second program to determine a subfamily of items wherein each said item in said subfamily contains the selected alternatives, and wherein the first program revises the display to display said available alternatives represented in the subfamily as distinct from unavailable alternatives unrepresented in the subfamily. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification