Computer-implemented procurement of items using parametric searching
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented system for parametric searching of one or more item catalogs, comprising a server associated with one or more software components collectively configured to:
- provide a hierarchically organized keyword tree comprising a first level and a second level, the first level being higher than the second level;
allow a user to navigate the keyword tree to select a keyword specifying one or more attributes common to all items in a corresponding class, the keyword being at the second level of the keyword tree;
receive the keyword specifying the one or more attributes common to all items in the corresponding class, the one or more common attributes being left unconstrained by the keyword;
determine, based on the keyword, one or more of the common attributes that are left unconstrained by the keyword;
receive attribute values for one or more of the determined common attributes, wherein at least one of the received attribute values is received using a corresponding attribute field, the field corresponding to an unconstrained attribute and into which the user may input an attribute value for the unconstrained attribute to specify its attribute value;
parametrically search an item catalog based on the received keyword and the received attribute values;
generate search results according to the parametric search, the search results comprising a table listing a plurality of items, each listed item having attributes matching the attributes specified by the keyword and attribute values matching the received attribute values, the table further listing, for each item, attribute values for the item; and
receive a selection of an item from among the search results.
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Abstract
A computer-implemented method for procuring one or more items includes, in response to user-provided data and after user selection of a search module using a client system, providing an item category. Based on user selection of the item category using the client system, one or more attributes associated with: all items in the item category are provided. Based on user input identifying an attribute value for at least one attribute, search results including one or more items matching the attribute value are generated. In response to user selection of a particular item from among the search results using the client system, an order request for the selected item is then generated.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented system for parametric searching of one or more item catalogs, comprising a server associated with one or more software components collectively configured to:
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provide a hierarchically organized keyword tree comprising a first level and a second level, the first level being higher than the second level; allow a user to navigate the keyword tree to select a keyword specifying one or more attributes common to all items in a corresponding class, the keyword being at the second level of the keyword tree; receive the keyword specifying the one or more attributes common to all items in the corresponding class, the one or more common attributes being left unconstrained by the keyword; determine, based on the keyword, one or more of the common attributes that are left unconstrained by the keyword; receive attribute values for one or more of the determined common attributes, wherein at least one of the received attribute values is received using a corresponding attribute field, the field corresponding to an unconstrained attribute and into which the user may input an attribute value for the unconstrained attribute to specify its attribute value; parametrically search an item catalog based on the received keyword and the received attribute values; generate search results according to the parametric search, the search results comprising a table listing a plurality of items, each listed item having attributes matching the attributes specified by the keyword and attribute values matching the received attribute values, the table further listing, for each item, attribute values for the item; and receive a selection of an item from among the search results. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-implemented system for parametric searching of one or more item catalogs, comprising:
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means for providing a hierarchically organized keyword tree comprising a first level and a second level, the first level being higher than the second level; means for allowing a user to navigate the keyword tree to select a keyword specifying one or more attributes common to all items in a corresponding class, the keyword being at the second level of the keyword tree; means for receiving the keyword specifying the one or more attributes common to all items in the corresponding class, the one or more common attributes being left unconstrained by the keyword; means for determining, based on the keyword, one or more of the common attributes that are left unconstrained by the keyword; means for receiving attribute values for one or more of the determined common attributes using one or more corresponding attribute fields, each field corresponding to an unconstrained attribute and into which the user may input an attribute value for the unconstrained attribute to specify its attribute value; means for parametrically searching at least a portion of an item catalog according to the received keyword and the received attribute values; means for generating search results according to the parametric search, the search results comprising a table listing a plurality of items, each listed item having attributes matching the attributes specified by the keyword and attribute values matching the received attribute values, the table further listing, for each item, attribute values for the item; and means for receiving a selection of an item from among the search results.
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15. A method of searching a database, comprising:
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displaying a hierarchically organized keyword tree comprising a first level and a second level, the first level being higher than the second level; allowing a user to navigate the keyword tree to select a keyword specifying one or more attributes common to all items in a corresponding class, the keyword being at the second level of the keyword tree; receiving the keyword, specifying the one or more attributes; displaying the one or more attributes; receiving one or more attribute values for at least one of the one or more attributes by receiving one or more user-inputted attribute values into one or more corresponding attribute fields; based on the keyword and the one or more attribute values, performing a textual search on the database; obtaining results from the textual search as a table listing a plurality of items, each listed item having attributes matching the one or more attributes specified by the keyword and attribute values matching the one or more received attribute values, the table further listing, for each item, attribute values for the item; selecting an item from the list of items generated according to the textual search; and viewing the one or more attributes for the selected item. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 20)
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19. A computer-implemented method for procuring one or more items, comprising:
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in response to user-provided data and after user selection of a search module using a client system, providing an item category by displaying a hierarchically organized tree comprising a first level and a second level, the first level being higher than the second level, and allowing a user to select a category specifying one or more attributes common to all items in a corresponding class, the category being referenced at the second level of the tree; based on user selection of the item category using the tree at the client system, providing one or more attributes associated with all items in the item category; based on user input into an attribute field corresponding to one of the one or more attributes, the user input identifying an attribute value for at least one attribute, generating search results comprising a table listing a plurality of items matching the attribute value, each item having attributes matching the one or more attributes and having an attribute value matching the attribute value, the table further listing, for each item, the attribute value; and in response to user selection of a particular item from among the search results using the client system, generating an order request for the selected item.
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Specification