US6032145A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for database manipulation
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1998-04-10
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Granted: 2000-02-29
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Expires: 2018-04-10
Abstract
Abstract An electronic catalog requisition system includes software for efficiently selecting items from a database. The software accepts search terms from a user, and then executes a sequence of search strategies on the database which may include a proximity search, a word count search, and a fuzzy logic search. The sequence is terminated when a search algorithm has uncovered at least one match. Each database entry has a corresponding product category. A list of categories from each of the matching products is dynamically compiled and displayed to the user. The user can page through the list of displayed matches, or alternatively can create a subset of the list by selecting only the items within one of the categories. In addition, the user can further refine the list of items by selecting those items having a particular attribute. The software can also maintain a list of synonyms for attributes as an aid for finding appropriate matches within the database. Natural adjectives to certain of the attributes are recognized as further refinements to the search criteria. The invention has the advantage that users with a wide range of skills and/or familiarity with products can quickly find the products that they need. The software has the additional feature of creating electronic requisitions for the products listed in the database.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher Wade Beall
- 👤 Michael Renn Neal
- 👤 James Michael Wilmsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0633; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/242; G06F16/2425; G06F16/2428; G06F16/245; G06F16/2455; G06F16/30; G06F16/33; G06F16/3331; G06F16/334; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99935; Y10S707/99936; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of selecting data records in a database, each data record having a classification, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a search string, comprising at least one search term, to a user interface; testing the search string against the data records using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm compares the search string against the data records to identify matching data records that comprise a set, and wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises an algorithm for testing at least one search term against the data records according to fuzzy logic; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one data record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unified list of classifications from members of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications; creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification; and displaying the subset.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of selecting data records in a database, each data record having a classification, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a search string, comprising at least one search term, to a user interface; testing the search string against the data records using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm compares the search string against the data records to identify matching data records that comprise a set, and wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises an algorithm for testing at least one search term against the data records according to fuzzy logic; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one data record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unified list of classifications from members of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications; creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification; and displaying the subset.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises a first algorithm for testing the search string for exact matches against the data records, and a subsequent algorithm for testing at least one search term, including stems thereof, for matches against the data records.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein each data record has an associated manufacturer, and the step of creating a subset further comprises a step of selecting members having the same manufacturer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of linking at least one data record to a source of detailed product information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the subset further comprises the step of displaying price and supplier information for each member of the subset.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of creating a purchase requisition for at least one member of the subset.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of connecting the user interface to the database through a wide area network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of ranking each member of the set according to match quality.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of ranking each member of the subset according to match quality.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein each data record has associated parametric attributes, and further comprising the steps of: selecting at least a first parametric attribute; selecting at least a first value of the first parametric attribute; refining the subset to include only members having at least the first value of the first parametric attribute.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the search string further comprises at least one adjective, and wherein the step of refining the subset includes further refinement according to the at least on adjective as applied to the first parametric attribute.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises at least one algorithm in which the at least one search term is replaced by a synonym.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying data records relating to the subset and having a second classification.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein each data record may contain at least one predefined query, and wherein the step of inputting a search string executes the predefined query.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of selecting data records in a database, each data record having a classification, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a search string, comprising at least one search term, to a user interface; testing the search string against the data records using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm compares the search string against the data records to identify matching data records that comprise a set; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one data record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unified list of classifications from members of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; ranking each member of the set according to match quality; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications; creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification; and displaying the subset.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of selecting data records in a database, each data record having a classification, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a search string, comprising at least one search term, to a user interface; testing the search string against the data records using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm compares the search string against the data records to identify matching data records that comprise a set; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one data record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unified list of classifications from members of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; ranking each member of the set according to match quality; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications; creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification; and displaying the subset.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises a first algorithm for testing the search string for exact matches against the data records, and a subsequent algorithm for testing at least one search term, including stems thereof, for matches against the data records.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises an algorithm for testing at least one search term against the data records according to fuzzy logic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein each data record has an associated manufacturer, and the step of creating a subset further comprises a step of selecting members having the same manufacturer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of linking at least one data record to a source of detailed product information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of displaying the subset further comprises the step of displaying price and supplier information for each member of the subset.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of creating a purchase requisition for at least one member of the subset.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of connecting the user interface to the database through a wide area network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of ranking each member of the subset according to match quality.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein each data record has associated parametric attributes, and further comprising the steps of: selecting at least a first parametric attribute; selecting at least a first value of the first parametric attribute; refining the subset to include only members having at least the first value of the first parametric attribute.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 24, wherein the search string further comprises at least one adjective, and wherein the step of refining the subset includes further refinement according to the at least on adjective as applied to the first parametric attribute.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises at least one algorithm in which the at least one search term is replaced by a synonym.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of displaying data records relating to the subset and having a second classification.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein each data record may contain at least one predefined query, and wherein the step of inputting a search string executes the predefined query.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of selecting data records in a database, each data record having a classification, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a search string, comprising at least one search term, to a user interface; testing the search string against the data records using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm compares the search string against the data records to identify matching data records that comprise a set; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one data record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unified list of classifications from members of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications; creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification; ranking each member of the subset according to match quality; and displaying the subset.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of selecting data records in a database, each data record having a classification, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a search string, comprising at least one search term, to a user interface; testing the search string against the data records using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm compares the search string against the data records to identify matching data records that comprise a set; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one data record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unified list of classifications from members of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications; creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification; ranking each member of the subset according to match quality; and displaying the subset.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises a first algorithm for testing the search string for exact matches against the data records, and a subsequent algorithm for testing at least one search term, including stems thereof, for matches against the data records.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises an algorithm for testing at least one search term against the data records according to fuzzy logic.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein each data record has an associated manufacturer, and the step of creating a subset further comprises a step of selecting members having the same manufacturer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of linking at least one data record to a source of detailed product information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of displaying the subset fewer comprises the step of displaying price and supplier information for each member of the subset.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of creating a purchase requisition for at least one member of the subset.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of connecting the user interface to the database through a wide area network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of ranking each member of the set according to match quality.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein each data record has associated parametric attributes, and further comprising the steps of: selecting at least a first parametric attribute; selecting at least a first value of the first parametric attribute; refining the subset to include only members having at least the first value of the first parametric attribute.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 38, wherein the search string further comprises at least one adjective, and wherein the step of refining the subset includes further refinement according to the at least on adjective as applied to the first parametric attribute.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein the sequence of search algorithms comprises at least one algorithm in which the at least one search term is replaced by a synonym.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of displaying data records relating to the subset and having a second classification.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 29, wherein each data record may contain at least one predefined query, and wherein the step of inputting a search string executes the predefined query.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of selecting data records in a database, each data record having a classification, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a search string, comprising at least one search term, to a user interface; testing the search string against the data records using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm compares the search string against the data records to identify matching data records that comprise a set; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one data record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unified list of classifications from members of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications. creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification, wherein each data record has associated parametric attributes, and further comprising the steps of selecting at least a first parametric attribute, selecting at least a first value of the first parametric attribute, refining the subset to include only members having at least the first value of the first parametric attribute, and displaying the subset.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of selecting data records in a database, each data record having a classification, the method comprising the steps of: inputting a search string, comprising at least one search term, to a user interface; testing the search string against the data records using a sequence of search algorithms, wherein each search algorithm compares the search string against the data records to identify matching data records that comprise a set; terminating the sequence of search algorithms when at least one data record becomes a member of the set; compiling a unified list of classifications from members of the set, said list comprising at least a first classification; displaying at least a portion of the set along with the list of classifications. creating a subset of the set by selecting members having the first classification, wherein each data record has associated parametric attributes, and further comprising the steps of selecting at least a first parametric attribute, selecting at least a first value of the first parametric attribute, refining the subset to include only members having at least the first value of the first parametric attribute, and displaying the subset.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 43, wherein the search string further comprises at least one adjective, and wherein the step of refining the subset includes further refinement according to the at least on adjective as applied to the first parametric attribute.
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