Product normalization

• US 6,853,996 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2001
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accessify, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: E Centives Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Xiang, Pavlovski, Dmitri, Borkovsky, Arkady, Collins, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Mizrahi, Diane D.
• Application Number:
  US09/925,218
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 707/103.R, 707/102, 707/3, 707/10, 707/6
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9038 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

A computer-implemented approach for organizing input listings from various sources of input listings. Input listings are organized by mapping the input listings to consolidated listing that correspond to the input listings. The mapping of the input listings are based on various techniques such as a Stock Keeping Unit item-listing-to-consolidated-listing matching technique, a name/title item-listing-to-consolidated-listing matching technique, and a model item-listing-to-consolidated-listing matching technique.

Claims

1. A method for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings by;

determining whether any individual input listings in the group have been mapped to consolidated listings; and

if one or more individual input listings in the group have been mapped to consolidated listings, and all of the one or more individual input listings are mapped to the same particular consolidated listing, then determining that said particular consolidated listing is the corresponding consolidated listing for said group; and

mapping individual input listings from said plurality of input listings to consolidated listings based on a comparison between attribute values of the individual input listings and attribute values associated with said consolidated listings, wherein each input listing in the group of input listings is mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the method further includes the step of determining normalized forms of one or more attributes of the individual input listings; and

the comparison between attribute values of the individual input listings and attribute values associated with said consolidated listings is performed by comparing the normalized forms of the one or more attributes of the individual input listings and attribute values associated with said consolidated listings.

3. A method for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings;

mapping each input listing in the group of input listings to the corresponding consolidated listing;

receiving search criteria;

in response to receiving the search criteria, determining one or more consolidated listings that match the search criteria;

presenting the one or more consolidated listings as a search result corresponding to the search criteria; and

receiving a selection request that selects a consolidated listing;

in response to the selection request, presenting all input listings that are mapped to a selected consolidated listing that is selected by the selection request.

4. A method for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings; and

mapping each input listing in the group of input listings to the corresponding consolidated listing, wherein the group of input listings has at least one input listing that has not, prior to establishing the group, been mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing.

5. A method for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values and in the plurality of input listings, mapping all variant attribute values that represent the same information to a corresponding normalized form;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings; and

mapping each input listing in the group of input listings to the corresponding consolidated listing.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein establishing a group of input listings further comprises the steps of:

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and that has a Product Code value, determining the corresponding consolidated listing that has the Product Code value in common with the input listing that is not mapped;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has in common the Product Code value with the input listing that is not mapped, determining whether the input listing that is not mapped and the corresponding consolidated listing have in common a brand value;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has the Product Code value and the brand value in common with the input listing that is not mapped, mapping the input listing that is not mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing; and

grouping all input listings that have in common the Product Code value.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein establishing a group of input listings further comprises the steps of:

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and that has a name value, determining the corresponding consolidated listing that has the name value in common with the input listing that is not mapped;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has in common the name value with the input listing that is not mapped, determining whether the input listing that is not mapped and the corresponding consolidated listing have in common a brand value;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has the name value and the brand value in common with the input listing that is not mapped, mapping the input listing that is not mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing; and

grouping all input listings that have in common the name value.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein establishing a group of input listings further comprises the steps of:

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and that has a title value, determining the corresponding consolidated listing that has the title value in common with the input listing that is not mapped;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has in common the title value with the input listing that is not mapped, determining whether the input listing that is not mapped and the corresponding consolidated listing have in common an author value;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has the title value and the author value in common with the input listing that is not mapped, mapping the input listing that is not mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing; and

grouping all input listings that have in common the title value.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein establishing a group of input listings further comprises the steps of:

step A;

selecting from the plurality of input listings one input listing that is not mapped to be a selected input listing;

step B;

determining whether there are any input listings other than the selected input listing that was selected in step A from the plurality of input listings that have not been mapped to any consolidated listing and that have at least one attribute value that is a member of a set of attribute values that includes a model value and a name value of the selected input listing that was selected at step A;

step C;

selecting from the plurality of input listings all input listings that have not been mapped to any consolidated listing and that have at least one attribute value that is the member of the set of attribute values that includes the model value and the name value of the selected input listing that was selected at step A; and

step D;

grouping the input listings that are selected at step C with the selected input listing;

step E;

selecting all consolidated listings that have at least one attribute value that is a member of a set of attribute values wherein the set of attribute values includes a model value of the selected input listing and a name value of the selected input listing;

step F;

selecting the input listings that are mapped to the consolidated listings that are selected in step B; and

step G;

establishing the group by grouping the input listings that are selected at step F with the input listings in step D.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

if there are no input listings other than the selected input listing from the plurality of input listings that have not been mapped to any consolidated listing and that have at least one attribute value that is the member of the set of attribute values that includes the model and the name value of the selected input listing that was selected at step A of claim 9, then designating the selected input listing that was selected at step A as a singleton input listing;

performing a correlation test between the singleton input listing and all input listings that have not been mapped to any consolidated listing and that have a category attribute value in common with the singleton input listing; and

if the singleton input listing fails the correlation test then setting aside the singleton input listing in the group for a deferred analysis.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein a deferred analysis includes using a manual tool to determine the corresponding consolidated listing for each input listing that has been set aside for deferred analysis.

12. A method for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings, wherein attribute values associated with the plurality of input listings include one or more of;

a name value;

a Product Code value;

a model value;

a title value;

an author value;

a brand value;

a Universal Product Code (UPC) value; and

mapping each input listing in the group of input listings to the corresponding consolidated listing.

13. A method for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings by;

determining whether there is any input listing in the group of input listings that is mapped to any consolidated listing; and

if there are no input listings in the group of input listings that are mapped to any consolidated listing, then creating a new consolidated listing and mapping the input listings in the group of input listings to the new consolidated listing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein creating a new consolidated listing further comprises the steps of:

assigning a source weight to each source from which any of the plurality of input listings is obtained;

calculating a sum of the source weights for the group; and

if the sum of the source weights is greater than a pre-selected numeric threshold, then selecting an item listing from one of the sources in the group as the new consolidated listing.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein, if there are input listings in the group that map to different consolidated listings, then setting aside the input listings in the group for a deferred analysis.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the deferred analysis includes using a manual tool to determine the corresponding consolidated listing for each input listing that has been set aside for deferred analysis.

17. A method for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings, wherein the step of determining, for the group input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing comprises the steps of;

step A;

performing a correlation check between input listings of the group of input listings;

step B;

if all the input listings in the group of input listings pass the correlation check then determining whether there is more than one consolidated listing that was previously selected for establishing the group of input listings and for having at least one attribute value that is a member of a set of attribute values wherein the set of attribute values includes a model value of a selected input listing and a name value of the selected input listing, wherein the selected input listing is selected from the plurality of input listings and that is not mapped to any consolidated listing;

step C;

if it determined from step B that there is only one consolidated listing, then mapping all the input listings of the group of input listings to the one consolidated listing;

step D;

if it determined from step B that there are more than one consolidated listing, then merging the more than one consolidated listing into a merged consolidated listing and mapping all the input listings of the group of input listings to the merged consolidated listing;

step E;

if it determined from step B that there is no consolidated listing, then creating a new consolidated listing and mapping all the input listings of the group of input listings to the new consolidated listing; and

step F;

if not all the input listings in the group of input listings pass the correlation check, then setting aside the input listings in the group of input listings for a deferred analysis.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein a deferred analysis includes using a manual tool to determine the corresponding consolidated listing for each input listing that has been set aside for deferred analysis.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein performing a correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings further comprises performing one or more of the following:

performing a name correlation test;

performing a numbers_in_the_name correlation test;

performing a price correlation test;

performing a category correlation test;

performing a brand correlation test; and

performing a model correlation test.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings further comprises performing the steps of:

determining a worst name correlation value in the group of input listings for the name correlation test;

determining a worst numbers_in_the_name correlation value in the group of input listings for the numbers_in_the_name correlation test;

determining a worst price correlation value in the group of input listings for the price correlation test;

determining a worst category correlation value in the group of input listings for performing the category correlation test; and

determining a listing-match-friction value for the group of input listings by taking a sum of the worst name correlation value, the worst numbers_in_the_name correlation value, the worst price correlation value and the worst category correlation value.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a name correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of;

splitting the name value for each input listing in the pair of input listing into components, wherein each component contains one alpha-numeric word;

selecting components that do not contain any numerals for each input listing in the pair to be one or more selected components;

assigning a name correlation score based on how many of the one or more selected components are in common between the input listings in the pair;

if the name correlation score is greater than a pre-selected threshold name correlation score value then passing the pair of input listings;

if the name correlation score is less than the pre-selected threshold name correlation score value then failing the pair of input listings;

if all the pairs of input listings have passed the name correlation test, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the name correlation test.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a numbers_in_the_name correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of;

splitting the name value for each input listing in the pair of input listings into components, wherein each component contains one alpha-numeric word;

selecting components that contain one or more numerals for each input listing in the pair of input listings to be one or more selected components;

assigning a numbers_in_the_name correlation score based on how many of the one or more selected components are in common between the input listings in the pair of input listings;

if the numbers_in_the_name correlation score is greater than a pre-selected threshold numbers_in_the_name correlation score value then passing the pair of input listings;

if the numbers_in_the_name correlation score is less than the pre-selected threshold numbers_in_the_name correlation score value then failing the pair of input listings;

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the numbers in the name correlation test.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a category correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group of input listings to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of;

comparing leaves of a category value in one input listing of the pair of input listings with corresponding leaves of the category value in a remaining input listing in the pair of input listings;

passing the pair of input listings if the corresponding leaves match down to a pre-selected leaf-level;

failing the pair of input listings if the corresponding leaves do not match down to the pre-selected leaf-level;

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the category correlation test.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a price correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group of input listings to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of;

comparing a price value in one input listing in the pair of input listings with a corresponding price value in a remaining input listing in the pair of input listings;

passing the pair of input listings if the price values match up to a preselected percentage;

failing the pair of input listings if the price values do not match up to the pre-selected percentage; and

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the price correlation test.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a model correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group of input listings to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of;

if each input listing in the pair of input listings has the model value then comparing the model values in the pair of input listings and performing the steps of;

passing the pair of input listings if the model values exactly match;

failing the pair of input listings if the model values do not exactly match;

if one of the input listings in the pair of input listings does not have the model value then passing the pair of input listings; and

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the model correlation test.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a brand correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group of input listings to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of;

if each input listing in the pair has a brand value then comparing the brand values in the pair of input listings and performing the steps of;

passing the pair of input listings if the brand values exactly match;

failing the pair of input listings if the brand values do not exactly match;

if one of the input listings in the pair of input listings does not have the brand value then passing the pair of input listings; and

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the brand correlation test.

27. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings by;

determining whether any individual input listings in the group have been mapped to consolidated listings; and

if one or more individual input listings in the group have been mapped to consolidated listings, and all of the one or more individual input listings are mapped to the same particular consolidated listing, then determining that said particular consolidated listing is the corresponding consolidated listing for said group;

mapping individual input listings from said plurality of input listings to consolidated listings based on a comparison between attribute values of the individual input listings and attribute values associated with said consolidated listings, wherein each input listing in the group of input listings is mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27 wherein:

the method further includes the step of determining normalized forms of one or more attributes of the individual input listings; and

the comparison between attribute values of the individual input listings and attribute values associated with said consolidated listings is performed by comparing the normalized forms of the one or more attributes of the individual input listings and attribute values associated with said consolidated listings.

29. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings;

mapping each input listing in the group of input listings to the corresponding consolidated listing;

receiving search criteria;

in response to receiving the search criteria, determining one or more consolidated listings that match the search criteria;

presenting the one or more consolidated listings as a search result corresponding to the search criteria; and

receiving a selection request that selects a consolidated listing;

in response to the selection request, presenting all input listings that are mapped to a selected consolidated listing that is selected by the selection request.

30. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings; and

mapping each input listing in the group of input listings to the corresponding consolidated listing;

wherein the group of input listings has at least one input listing that has not, prior to establishing the group, been mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing.

31. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values and in the plurality of input listings, mapping all variant attribute values that represent the same information to a corresponding normalized form;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings; and

mapping each input listing in the group of input listings to the corresponding consolidated listing.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein establishing a group of input listings further comprises the steps of:

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and that has a Product Code value, determining the corresponding consolidated listing that has the Product Code value in common with the input listing that is not mapped;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has in common the Product Code value with the input listing that is not mapped, determining whether the input listing that is not mapped and the corresponding consolidated listing have in common a brand value;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has the Product Code value and the brand value in common with the input listing that is not mapped, mapping the input listing that is not mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing; and

grouping all input listings that have in common the Product Code value.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein establishing a group of input listings further comprises the steps of:

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and that has a name value, determining the corresponding consolidated listing that has the name value in common with the input listing that is not mapped;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has in common the name value with the input listing that is not mapped, determining whether the input listing that is not mapped and the corresponding consolidated listing have in common a brand value;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has the name value and the brand value in common with the input listing that is not mapped, mapping the input listing that is not mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing; and

grouping all input listings that have in common the name value.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein establishing a group of input listings further comprises the steps of:

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and that has a title value, determining the corresponding consolidated listing that has the title value in common with the input listing that is not mapped;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has in common the title value with the input listing that is not mapped, determining whether the input listing that is not mapped and the corresponding consolidated listing have in common an author value;

for each input listing that is not mapped to any consolidated listing and for which there is the corresponding consolidated listing that has the title value and the author value in common with the input listing that is not mapped, mapping the input listing that is not mapped to the corresponding consolidated listing; and

grouping all input listings that have in common the title value.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein establishing a group of input listings further comprises the steps of:

step A;

selecting from the plurality of input listings one input listing that is not mapped to be a selected input listing;

step B;

determining whether there are any input listings other than the selected input listing that was selected in step A from the plurality of input listings that have not been mapped to any consolidated listing and that have at least one attribute value that is a member of a set of attribute values that includes a model value and a name value of the selected input listing that was selected at step A;

step C;

selecting from the plurality of input listings all input listings that have not been mapped to any consolidated listing and that have at least one attribute value that is the member of the set of attribute values that includes the model value and the name value of the selected input listing that was selected at step A; and

step D;

grouping the input listings that are selected at step C with the selected input listing;

step E;

selecting all consolidated listings that have at least one attribute value that is a member of a set of attribute values wherein the set of attribute values includes a model value of the selected input listing and a name value of the selected input listing;

step F;

selecting the input listings that are mapped to the consolidated listings that are selected in step B; and

step G;

establishing the group by grouping the input listings that are selected at step F with the input listings in step D.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

if there are no input listings other than the selected input listing from the plurality of input listings that have not been mapped to any consolidated listing and that have at least one attribute value that is the member of the set of attribute values that includes the model and the name value of the selected input listing that was selected at step A of claim 35, then designating the selected input listing that was selected at step A as a singleton input listing;

performing a correlation test between the singleton input listing and all input listings that have not been mapped to any consolidated listing and that have a category attribute value in common with the singleton input listing; and

if the singleton input listing fails the correlation test then setting aside the singleton input listing in the group for a deferred analysis.

37. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 36, wherein a deferred analysis includes using a manual tool to determine the corresponding consolidated listing for each input listing that has been set aside for deferred analysis.

38. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings, wherein attribute values associated with the plurality of input listings include one or more of;

a name value;

a Product Code value;

a model value;

a title value;

an author value;

a brand value; and

a Universal Product Code (UPC) value; and

mapping each input listing in the group of input listings to the corresponding consolidated listing.

39. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings by;

determining whether there is any input listing in the group of input listings that is mapped to any consolidated listing; and

if there are no input listings in the group of input listings that are mapped to any consolidated listing, then creating a new consolidated listing and mapping the input listings in the group of input listings to the new consolidated listing.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein creating a new consolidated listing further comprises the steps of:

assigning a source weight to each source from which any of the plurality of input listings is obtained;

calculating a sum of the source weights for the group; and

if the sum of the source weights is greater than a pre-selected numeric threshold, then selecting an item listing from one of the sources in the group as the new consolidated listing.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 wherein, if there are input listings in the group that map to different consolidated listings, then setting aside the input listings in the group for a deferred analysis.

42. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 41, wherein the deferred analysis includes using a manual tool to determine the corresponding consolidated listing for each input listing that has been set aside for deferred analysis.

43. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for mapping input listings to consolidated listings, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

establishing a group of input listings from a plurality of input listings by grouping input listings that have in common one or more attribute values;

determining, for the group of input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing based on attribute values associated with the input listings in said group and attribute values associated with consolidated listings

wherein the step of determining, for the group input listings, a corresponding consolidated listing comprises the steps of;

step A;

performing a correlation check between input listings of the group of input listings;

step B;

if all the input listings in the group of input listings pass the correlation check then determining whether there is more than one consolidated listing that was previously selected for establishing the group of input listings and for having at least one attribute value that is a member of a set of attribute values wherein the set of attribute values includes a model value of a selected input listing and a name value of the selected input listing, wherein the selected input listing is selected from the plurality of input listings and that is not mapped to any consolidated listing;

step C;

if it determined from step B that there is only one consolidated listing, then mapping all the input listings of the group of input listings to the one consolidated listing;

step D;

if it determined from step B that there are more than one consolidated listing, then merging the more than one consolidated listing into a merged consolidated listing and mapping all the input listings of the group of input listings to the merged consolidated listing;

step E;

if it determined from step B that there is no consolidated listing, then creating a new consolidated listing and mapping all the input listings of the group of input listings to the new consolidated listing; and

step F;

if not all the input listings in the group of input listings pass the correlation check, then setting aside the input listings in the group of input listings for a deferred analysis.

44. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 43, wherein a deferred analysis includes using a manual tool to determine the corresponding consolidated listing for each input listing that has been set aside for deferred analysis.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 43, wherein performing a correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings further comprises performing one or more of the following:

performing a name correlation test;

performing a numbers_in_the_name correlation test;

performing a price correlation test;

performing a category correlation test;

performing a brand correlation test; and

performing a model correlation test.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein performing a correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings further comprises performing the steps of

determining a worst name correlation value in the group of input listings for the name correlation test;

determining a worst numbers_in_the_name correlation value in the group of input listings for the numbers_in_the_name correlation test;

determining a worst price correlation value in the group of input listings for the price correlation test;

determining a worst category correlation value in the group of input listings for performing the category correlation test; and

determining a listing-match-friction value for the group of input listings by taking a sum of the worst name correlation value, the worst numbers_in_the_name correlation value, the worst price correlation value and the worst category correlation value.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein performing a name correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of

splitting the name value for each input listing in the pair of input listing into components, wherein each component contains one alpha-numeric word;

selecting components that do not contain any numerals for each input listing in the pair to be one or more selected components;

assigning a name correlation score based on how many of the one or more selected components are in common between the input listings in the pair;

if the name correlation score is greater than a pre-selected threshold name correlation score value then passing the pair of input listings;

if the name correlation score is less than the pre-selected threshold name correlation score value then failing the pair of input listings;

if all the pairs of input listings have passed the name correlation test, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the name correlation test.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein performing a numbers_in_the_name correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of

splitting the name value for each input listing in the pair of input listings into components, wherein each component contains one alpha-numeric word;

selecting components that contain one or more numerals for each input listing in the pair of input listings to be one or more selected components;

assigning a numbers_in_the_name correlation score based on how many of the one or more selected components are in common between the input listings in the pair of input listings;

if the numbers_in_the_name correlation score is greater than a pre-selected threshold numbers_in_the_name correlation score value then passing the pair of input listings;

if the numbers_in_the_name correlation score is less than the pre-selected threshold numbers_in_the_name correlation score value then failing the pair of input listings;

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the numbers in the name correlation test.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein performing a category correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group of input listings to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of

comparing leaves of a category value in one input listing of the pair of input listings with corresponding leaves of the category value in a remaining input listing in the pair of input listings;

passing the pair of input listings if the corresponding leaves match down to a pre-selected leaf-level;

failing the pair of input listings if the corresponding leaves do not match down to the pre-selected leaf-level;

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the category correlation test.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein performing a price correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group of input listings to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of;

comparing a price value in one input listing in the pair of input listings with a corresponding price value in a remaining input listing in the pair of input listings;

passing the pair of input listings if the price values match up to a preselected percentage;

failing the pair of input listings if the price values do not match up to the pre-selected percentage; and

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the price correlation test.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein performing a model correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group of input listings to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of

if each input listing in the pair of input listings has the model value then comparing the model values in the pair of input listings and performing the steps of;

passing the pair of input listings if the model values exactly match;

failing the pair of input listings if the model values do not exactly match;

if one of the input listings in the pair of input listings does not have the model value then passing the pair of input listings; and

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the model correlation test.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein performing a brand correlation test between input listings of the group of input listings comprises the steps of:

pairing input listings from the group of input listings such that each input listing is paired with every other input listing in the group of input listings to form pairs of input listings;

for each pair of input listings, performing the steps of

if each input listing in the pair has a brand value then comparing the brand values in the pair of input listings and performing the steps of passing the pair of input listings if the brand values exactly match;

failing the pair of input listings if the brand values do not exactly match;

if one of the input listings in the pair of input listings does not have the brand value then passing the pair of input listings; and

if all the pairs of input listings have passed, then passing the group of input listings with respect to the brand correlation test.