Patent US5740425A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5740425A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data structure and method for publishing electronic and printed product catalogs
Assignee: Zarbana Digital Fund LLC
•
Filing: 1995-09-26
•
Granted: 1998-04-14
•
Expires: 2015-09-26
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a data structure and method for creating, maintaining, and publishing multiple renditions of both electronic and printed, single and multi-manufacturer catalogs using a single product database. Also disclosed is an electronic catalog created using the data structure and methodology of the present invention. The data structure includes means for creating a product database and means for creating a KnowledgeBase, which includes a concept structure for at least one product realm and a glossary. The concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, where the concept frames include a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm. The product database preferably includes a listing of SKUs, each SKU corresponding to a product or a component of a product. The product database further including product information for each associated SKU, and an identification of each concept node in which each SKU can be located. The glossary is used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, and includes a plurality of phrases, at least one of which being a definer that links the phrase to one of the concept nodes.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Povilus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q10/0875; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A data structure for use in publishing an electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: means for creating a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; means for creating a product database including a listing of SKUs, each SKU corresponding to a product or a component of a product, said product database further including product information for each associated SKU, and an identification of each concept node in which each SKU can be located; and means for creating a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A data structure for use in publishing an electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: means for creating a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; means for creating a product database including a listing of SKUs, each SKU corresponding to a product or a component of a product, said product database further including product information for each associated SKU, and an identification of each concept node in which each SKU can be located; and means for creating a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The data structure as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said phrases is a synonym and having a predetermined relationship to at least one definer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for creating a product database includes a relational database management system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for creating a concept structure includes an object-oriented database management system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data structure as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for creating a product database includes a relational database management system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The data structure as defined in claim 5 and further including linking means for automatically linking entries in said relational database management system with entries in said object-oriented database management system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The data structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for creating a product database includes means for creating at least one table of SKUs, said table including for each SKU an identification of each concept node in which the associated SKU can be located.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The data structure as defined in claim 7, wherein said means for creating a table of SKUs includes means for generating and displaying a SKU table template having data entry fields for entering an SKU and for entering data in predefined columns of said SKU table.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The data structure as defined in claim 1 and further including means for creating a second concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said second concept structure represents an industry standard for classification of product groupings, said second concept structure having nodes that are cross-referenced to said concept frames of said first concept structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The data structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for creating a product database includes means for creating a media base as part of the product database, wherein said media base includes numeric media content associated with at least one product and links associating a portion of the numeric media content to a numeric characteristic of a product.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
216 words
A data structure for use in publishing print and/or electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: means for creating a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; means for creating a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located, said means for creating a product database further includes means for creating a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; and means for creating a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
216 words
A data structure for use in publishing print and/or electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: means for creating a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; means for creating a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located, said means for creating a product database further includes means for creating a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; and means for creating a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The data structure as defined in claim 11, wherein at least one of said phrases is a synonym and having a predetermined relationship to at least one definer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The data structure as defined in claim 11 and further including means for creating a second concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said second concept structure represents an industry standard for classification of product groupings, said second concept structure having nodes that are cross-referenced to said concept frames of said first concept structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The data structure as defined in claim 11, wherein said descriptive media content is expressed in Standardized Generalized Markup Language.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The data structure as defined in claim 13, wherein said means for creating a media base includes means for creating templates outlining the relation between content sections and concept frames.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The data structure as defined in claim 11 and further including means for creating product options representing differences between SKUs that exist in a common generic product class.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The data structure as defined in claim 16, wherein said means for creating product options includes means for relating said product options to said concept nodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The data structure as defined in claim 17, wherein when said product options are numeric values, said means for creating product options automatically summarizes the numeric values for specific SKUs within a common generic product class as maximum and minimum values for the products within the common generic product class.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The data structure as defined in claim 17 and further including means for automatically summarizing product options possessed by specific SKUs within a common generic product class as optional characteristics of products within the common generic product class.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The data structure as defined in claim 11, wherein a portion of said descriptive media content is numeric data that is linked to numeric characteristics of a product identified in said object representation of products.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data structure as defined in claim 20, wherein said numeric data represents a product dimension illustrated in a CAD-type drawing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The data structure as defined in claim 11, wherein said media base includes numeric media content associated with at least one product and links associating a portion of the numeric media content to a numeric characteristic of a product.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
221 words
A data structure for use in publishing multiple renditions of electronic catalogs and for publishing multiple renditions of printed catalogs, the electronic and printed catalogs containing information on a plurality of products, the data structure comprising: means for creating a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; means for creating a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located, said means for creating a product database further includes means for creating a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; and means for selecting portions of the descriptive media content in said media base for specific products in order to compile information from said product database and said media base to generate a desired rendition of a printed catalog.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
221 words
A data structure for use in publishing multiple renditions of electronic catalogs and for publishing multiple renditions of printed catalogs, the electronic and printed catalogs containing information on a plurality of products, the data structure comprising: means for creating a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; means for creating a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located, said means for creating a product database further includes means for creating a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; and means for selecting portions of the descriptive media content in said media base for specific products in order to compile information from said product database and said media base to generate a desired rendition of a printed catalog.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The data structure as defined in claim 23, wherein said descriptive media content is expressed in Standardized Generalized Markup language.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The data structure as defined in claim 24, wherein said means for creating a media base includes means for creating templates outlining the relation between content sections and concept frames.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The data structure as defined in claim 24, wherein said descriptive media content is further expressed in Document Style Semantics and Specification Language.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
The data structure as defined in claim 23 and further including means for creating a second concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said second concept structure represents an industry standard for classification of product groupings, said second concept structure having nodes that are cross-referenced to said concept frames of said first concept structure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The data structure as defined in claim 23 and further including means for creating product options representing differences between products that exist in a common generic product class.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The data structure as defined in claim 28, wherein said means for creating product options includes means for relating said product options to said concept nodes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
The data structure as defined in claim 29, wherein when said product options are numeric values, said means for creating product options automatically summarizes the numeric values for specific products within a common generic product class as maximum and minimum values for the products within the common generic product class.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The data structure as defined in claim 29, means for automatically summarizing product options possessed by specific products within a common generic product class as optional characteristics of products within the common generic product class.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The data structure as defined in claim 23, wherein said media base includes numeric media content associated with at least one product and links associating a portion of the numeric media content to a numeric characteristic of a product.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
218 words
An electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located, said product database further includes a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes; and means for locating specific portions of the descriptive media content based upon identified product characteristics and for selecting a specific product possessing such identified product characteristics.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
218 words
An electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located, said product database further includes a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes; and means for locating specific portions of the descriptive media content based upon identified product characteristics and for selecting a specific product possessing such identified product characteristics.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electronic catalog as defined in claim 33, wherein at least one of said phrases is a synonym and having a predetermined relationship to at least one definer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electronic catalog as defined in claim 33, wherein said means for locating specific portions of the descriptive media content locates the identified product characteristics by navigating through said at least one concept frame.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electronic catalog as defined in claim 33, wherein said means for locating specific portions of the descriptive media content locates the identified product characteristics by selecting amongst search phrases that are morphologically similar.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electronic catalog as defined in claim 33, wherein said products listed in said table of said product database include products manufactured by a plurality of manufacturers.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electronic catalog as defined in claim 37, wherein said specific portions of the descriptive media content are located in a catalog including a listing of product SKUs available from a single manufacturer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept flames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located, said product database further includes a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; and means for locating products having characteristics associated with a specific identified portion of the descriptive media content.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept flames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located, said product database further includes a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; and means for locating products having characteristics associated with a specific identified portion of the descriptive media content.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
286 words
A method for publishing an electronic catalog and for publishing multiple renditions of printed catalogs using a data structure, the electronic and printed catalogs containing information on a plurality of products, the method comprising the steps of: creating a concept structure or at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; creating a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located; creating a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; creating a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes; selecting portions of the descriptive media content in said media base for specific products in order to compile information from said product database and said media base to generate a desired rendition of a printed catalog; and distributing portions of the data structure for adding and updating data within the concept structure and the product database amongst a plurality of workstations of parties responsible for creating and maintaining such data.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
286 words
A method for publishing an electronic catalog and for publishing multiple renditions of printed catalogs using a data structure, the electronic and printed catalogs containing information on a plurality of products, the method comprising the steps of: creating a concept structure or at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; creating a product database including an object representation of products, said object representation including for each product an identification of each concept node in which the associated product can be located; creating a media base as part of said product database wherein said media base includes descriptive media content associated with at least one product and content tags linking a portion of the descriptive media content to characteristics of a product linked to characteristics identified for each product in said object representation of products; creating a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes; selecting portions of the descriptive media content in said media base for specific products in order to compile information from said product database and said media base to generate a desired rendition of a printed catalog; and distributing portions of the data structure for adding and updating data within the concept structure and the product database amongst a plurality of workstations of parties responsible for creating and maintaining such data.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; a product database including a listing of SKUs, each SKU corresponding to a product or a component of a product, said product database further including product information for each associated SKU, and an identification of each concept node in which each SKU can be located; and a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electronic catalog containing information on a plurality of products, comprising: a concept structure for at least one product realm wherein said concept structure includes at least one concept frame for defining classes of product groupings, said concept frames including a plurality of concept nodes having relationships based upon characteristics of the products within the product realm; a product database including a listing of SKUs, each SKU corresponding to a product or a component of a product, said product database further including product information for each associated SKU, and an identification of each concept node in which each SKU can be located; and a glossary to be used for searching for a particular product or group of products having desired characteristics, said glossary including a plurality of phrases, at least one of said phrases being a definer that links said at least one phrase to one of said concept nodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5067070A
Cited
US4949256A
Cited
US5386556A
Cited
US5367622A
Cited
US5165015A
Cited
US5404295A
Cited
US5309359A
Cited
US5307266A
Cited
US5319542A
Cited
US5231566A
Cited
US5444844A
Cited
US5544040A
Cited
US5363310A
Cited
US5528490A
Cited
US5451998A
Cited
US5597307A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-13 | 2001-10-13 | 2002-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-13 | 2005-10-13 | 2006-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-13 | 2009-10-13 | 2010-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |