Database system facilitating textual searching

• US 7,502,787 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Lewis, Gary L., Blessin, Stephen W., Bailey, Steven C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEWIS, CHERYL RENEA
• Application Number:
  US11/002,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20050234888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,559 Days
• Field of Search: 707 2- 6, 707/100, 707/102
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/284 Relational databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/915 Image
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/954 Relational
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for searching for a desired item includes, in response to user input specifying an alphanumeric string associated with a desired item, searching a database that comprises information associated with items for an alphanumeric string that matches the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine item names and item descriptions for all matching items corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string. The determined item names and item descriptions for the matching items are provided for display to the user. In response to user input indicating a desire to view attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item, attribute names and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item are determined and provided for display to the user.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system for searching for a desired item, comprising:

a database comprising information associated with items for which a search may be performed; and

a server system associated with one or more software components collectively operable to;

receive a first user input specifying an alphanumeric string associated with a desired item, search the database for an alphanumeric string that matches the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine item names and item descriptions for all matching items corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string;

provide the determined item names and item descriptions for the matching items for display to the user;

specify a particular matching item corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string;

receive a second user input indicating a desire to view attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item, determine attribute names and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

provide the determined attribute names and attribute values for the particular matching item for display to the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to a keyword and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the keyword and a name for the keyword, each keyword corresponding to one or more items; and

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising a name for the item, a description for the item, and the identifier for the keyword corresponding to the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of a keyword; and

the software components are operable to;

search the keyword names in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more keyword identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings; and

in response to determining the one or more keyword identifiers, search the fourth table for the one or more determined keyword identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

each row of the second table comprises an identifier uniquely identifying the corresponding item;

the database further comprises;

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name of the attribute; and

a fourth table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item; and

the software components are operable to;

search the fourth table for all instances of the item identifier for the particular matching item to determine the attribute identifiers and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

in response to determining the attribute identifiers, search the third table for the determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the attributes of the particular matching item, the determined attribute names and attribute values being provided for display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the database comprises a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, and a description for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an item name or an item description; and

the software components are operable to search the item names and item descriptions in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more item identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings, the item names and item descriptions containing the matching alphanumeric strings being provided for display.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the database further comprises;

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name of the attribute; and

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item; and

the software components are operable to;

search the third table for all instances of the item identifier for the particular matching item to determine the attribute identifiers and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

in response to determining the attribute identifiers, search the second table for the determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the attributes of the particular matching item, the determined attribute names and attribute values being provided for display.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name for the attribute;

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, a description for the item; and

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an attribute name; and

the software components are operable to;

search the attribute names in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more attribute identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings;

in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, search the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the one or more item identifiers for the corresponding attributes; and

in response to determining the one or more item identifiers, search the second table for the one or more determined item identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the software components are further operable to, in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, search the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute values for the corresponding attributes, the attribute names containing the matching alphanumeric strings and the determined attribute values being provided for display.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, a description for the item; and

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value and the identifier for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an attribute value; and

the software components are operable to;

search the attribute values in the second table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine the one or more item identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings;

in response to determining the one or more item identifiers, search the first table for the one or more determined item identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the database comprises a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name for the attribute;

each row of the second table comprises the identifier for the corresponding attribute; and

the software components are operable to;

by searching the attribute values in the second table, determine the one or more attribute identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings; and

in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, search the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the corresponding attributes, the determined attribute names and the attribute values names containing the matching alphanumeric strings being provided for display.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the software components are operable to search one or more item catalogs to determine the matching items independent of any user input specifying a particular catalog associated with the desired item.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the database comprises an internal item catalog for an enterprise associated with the user;

the user input specifying the alphanumeric string is received in response to user selection of a global search module from among a plurality of available search modules; and

the software components are operable to search one or more external item catalogs associated with one or more other enterprises in addition to the internal item catalog in response to the user selection of the global search module and the user input specifying the alphanumeric string.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system allows the user to view the item name, item description, attributes, and attribute values for at least the particular matching item within a single display.

13. A computer-implemented method for searching for a desired item, comprising:

receiving a first user input specifying an alphanumeric string associated with a desired item, searching a database that comprises information associated with items for an alphanumeric string that matches the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine item names and item descriptions for all matching items corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string;

providing the determined item names and item descriptions for the matching items for display to the user;

specifying a particular matching item corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string;

receiving a second user input indicating a desire to view attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item, determining attribute names and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

providing the determined attribute names and attribute values for the particular matching item for display to the user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to a keyword and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the keyword and a name for the keyword, each keyword corresponding to one or more items; and

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising a name for the item, a description for the item, and the identifier for the keyword corresponding to the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of a keyword; and

the method further comprises;

searching the keyword names in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more keyword identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings; and

in response to determining the one or more keyword identifiers, searching the second table for the one or more determined keyword identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

each row of the second table comprises an identifier uniquely identifying the corresponding item;

the database further comprises;

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name of the attribute; and

a fourth table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item; and

the method further comprises; and

searching the fourth table for all instances of the item identifier for the particular matching item to determine the attribute identifiers and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

in response to determining the attribute identifiers, searching the third table for the determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the attributes of the particular matching item, the determined attribute names and attribute values being provided for display.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the database comprises a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, and a description for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an item name or an item description; and

the method further comprises searching the item names and item descriptions in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more item identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings, the item names and item descriptions containing the matching alphanumeric strings being provided for display.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the database further comprises;

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name of the attribute; and

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item; and

the method further comprises;

searching the third table for all instances of the item identifier for the particular matching item to determine the attribute identifiers and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

in response to determining the attribute identifiers, searching the second table for the determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the attributes of the particular matching item, the determined attribute names and attribute values being provided for display.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name for the attribute;

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, a description for the item; and

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an attribute name; and

the method further comprises;

searching the attribute names in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more attribute identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings;

in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, searching the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the one or more item identifiers for the corresponding attributes; and

in response to determining the one or more item identifiers, searching the second table for the one or more determined item identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, searching the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute values for the corresponding attributes, the attribute names containing the matching alphanumeric strings and the determined attribute values being provided for display.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, a description for the item; and

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value and the identifier for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an attribute value; and

the method further comprises;

searching the attribute values in the second table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine the one or more item identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings;

in response to determining the one or more item identifiers, searching the first table for the one or more determined item identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein:

the database comprises a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name for the attribute;

each row of the second table comprises the identifier for the corresponding attribute; and

the method further comprises;

by searching the attribute values in the second table, determining the one or more attribute identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings; and

in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, searching the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the corresponding attributes, the determined attribute names and the attribute values names containing the matching alphanumeric strings being provided for display.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising searching one or more item catalogs to determine the matching items independent of any user input specifying a particular catalog associated with the desired item.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the database comprises an internal item catalog for an enterprise associated with the user;

the user input specifying the alphanumeric string is received in response to user selection of a global search module from among a plurality of available search modules; and

the method further comprises searching one or more external item catalogs associated with one or more other enterprises in addition to the internal item catalog in response to the user selection of the global search module and the user input specifying the alphanumeric string.

24. The method of claim 13, further comprising allowing the user to view the item name, item description, attributes, and attribute values for at least the particular matching item within a single display.

30. The software of claim 23, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name for the attribute;

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, a description for the item; and

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an attribute name; and

the software is operable to;

search the attribute names in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more attribute identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings;

in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, search the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the one or more item identifiers for the corresponding attributes; and

in response to determining the one or more item identifiers, search the second table for the one or more determined item identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

31. The software of claim 30, further operable to, in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, search the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute values for the corresponding attributes, the attribute names containing the matching alphanumeric strings and the determined attribute values being provided for display.

25. Software for searching for a desired item, the software being embodied in computer-readable media and when executed operable to:

receive a first user input specifying an alphanumeric string associated with a desired item, search a database that comprises information associated with items for an alphanumeric string that matches the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine item names and item descriptions for all matching items corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string;

provide the determined item names and item descriptions for the matching items for display to the user;

specify a particular matching item corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string;

receive a second user input indicating a desire to view attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item, determine attribute names and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

provide the determined attribute names and attribute values for the particular matching item for display to the user.

26. The software of claim 25, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to a keyword and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the keyword and a name for the keyword, each keyword corresponding to one or more items; and

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising a name for the item, a description for the item, and the identifier for the keyword corresponding to the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of a keyword; and

the software is operable to;

search the keyword names in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more keyword identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings; and

in response to determining the one or more keyword identifiers, search the fourth table for the one or more determined keyword identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

27. The software of claim 26, wherein:

each row of the second table comprises an identifier uniquely identifying the corresponding item;

the database further comprises;

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name of the attribute; and

a fourth table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item; and

the software is operable to;

search the fourth table for all instances of the item identifier for the particular matching item to determine the attribute identifiers and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

in response to determining the attribute identifiers, search the third table for the determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the attributes of the particular matching item, the determined attribute names and attribute values being provided for display.

28. The software of claim 25, wherein:

the database comprises a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, and a description for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an item name or an item description; and

the software is operable to search the item names and item descriptions in the first table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine one or more item identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching

alphanumeric strings, the item names and item descriptions containing the matching alphanumeric strings being provided for display.

29. The software of claim 28, wherein:

the database further comprises;

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name of the attribute; and

a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value, the identifier for the attribute, and the identifier for the item; and

the software is operable to;

search the third table for all instances of the item identifier for the particular matching item to determine the attribute identifiers and-attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

in response to determining the attribute identifiers, search the second table for the determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the attributes of the particular matching item, the determined attribute names and attribute values being provided for display.

32. The software of claim 25, wherein:

the database comprises;

a first table comprising rows each corresponding to an item and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the item, a name for the item, a description for the item; and

a second table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute value of an attribute of an item and each comprising the attribute value and the identifier for the item;

the user-specified alphanumeric string comprises at least some of an attribute value; and

the software is operable to;

search the attribute values in the second table for alphanumeric strings matching the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine the one or more item identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings;

in response to determining the one or more item identifiers, search the first table for the one or more determined item identifiers to determine the item names and item descriptions for the matching items, the determined item names and item descriptions being provided for display.

33. The software of claim 32, wherein:

the database comprises a third table comprising rows each corresponding to an attribute of one or more items and each comprising an identifier uniquely identifying the attribute and a name for the attribute;

each row of the second table comprises the identifier for the corresponding attribute an -and

the software is operable to;

by searching the attribute values in the second table, determine the one or more attribute identifiers corresponding to the one or more matching alphanumeric strings; and

in response to determining the one or more attribute identifiers, search the third table for the one or more determined attribute identifiers to determine the attribute names for the corresponding attributes, the determined attribute names and the attribute values names containing the matching alphanumeric strings being provided for display.

34. The software of claim 25, operable to search one or more item catalogs to determine the matching items independent of any user input specifying a particular catalog associated with the desired item.

35. The software of claim 25, wherein:

the database comprises an internal item catalog for an enterprise associated with the user;

the user input specifying the alphanumeric string is received in response to user selection of a global search module from among a plurality of available search modules; and

the software is operable to search one or more external item catalogs associated with one or more other enterprises in addition to the internal item catalog in response to the user selection of the global search module and the user input specifying the alphanumeric string.

36. The software of claim 25, wherein the system allows the user to view the item name, item description, attributes, and attribute values for at least the particular matching item within a single display.

37. A computer-implemented system for searching for a desired item, comprising:

means for storing information associated with items for which a search may be performed;

means for, in response to a first user input specifying an alphanumeric string associated with a desired item, searching the database for an alphanumeric string that matches the user-specified alphanumeric string to determine item names and item descriptions for all matching items corresponding to the matching alphanumeric string;

means for providing the determined item names and item descriptions for the matching items for display to the user;

means for, in response to a second user input indicating a desire to view attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item, determining attribute names and attribute values for attributes of the particular matching item; and

means for providing the determined attribute names and attribute values for the particular matching item for display to the user.