Method and system for executing a guided parametric search
OwnerMohamed Sherif Danish, Kris Walter Kimbroughinventors
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims35
A method for assisting a user in identifying a subfamily of items within a family of items, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a computer readable data file of stored information representing at least one family of items, said data file identifying at least one alternative for each item,
- (b) reading said data file,
- (c) displaying a feature screen indicating said alternatives represented in the family,
- (d) accepting at least one selected alternative, said at least one selected alternative defining a selection criteria,
- (e) determining the subfamily of items wherein each said item in the subfamily satisfies said selection criteria,
- (f) determining available alternatives represented in the subfamily and unavailable alternatives unrepresented in the subfamily, and
- (g) revising said feature screen to display said available alternatives as distinct from said unavailable alternatives.
A method of assisting a user in identifying a subfamily of items within a family of items, comprising the steps of:
- (a) 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, said family comprising a plurality of items wherein each said item has one said alternative associated with each said feature,
- (b) displaying said features and said alternatives on a feature screen,
- (c) accepting at least one selected alternative, said at least one selected alternative defining a selection criteria,
- (d) determining the subfamily wherein each item in the subfamily satisfies said selection criteria,
- (e) determining available alternatives and unavailable alternatives represented by the subfamily,
- (f) revising said feature screen to display said available alternatives as distinct from said unavailable alternatives.
A system for assisting a user in identifying a subfamily of items within a family of items, comprising:
- (a) a computer having memory, a display device, a user input device, and an interactive pointer,
- (b) a computer readable data file stored in said memory, said data file representing at least one family of items and identifying at least one alternative for each item,
- (c) a feature screen displayed on said display device, said feature screen indicating available alternatives represented in the family,
- (d) said user input device accepting at least one selected alternative, wherein said computer determines a subfamily of items wherein each said item in said subfamily contains said selected alternatives, and further wherein, said display device revises said feature screen to display said available alternatives represented in the subfamily as distinct from unavailable alternatives unrepresented in the subfamily.
A method for assisting a user in identifying a subfamily of items within a family of items, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a computer readable data file of stored information representing at least one family of items, said data file identifying at least one alternative for each item,
- (b) reading said data file,
- (c) displaying a feature screen indicating said alternatives represented in the family,
- (d) accepting at least one selected alternative, said at least one selected alternative defining a selection criteria,
- (e) determining the subfamily of items wherein each said item in the subfamily satisfies said selection criteria, and modifying said selection criteria by,
- (f) automatically deselecting a most recently selected alternative and determining the subfamily of items wherein each said item in the subfamily satisfies said selection criteria,
- until there is at least one item contained in said subfamily of items.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.