System and method for exposing popular nodes within a browse tree
US6466918B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99943
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer-implemented system and method are provided for identifying popular nodes within a browse tree or other hierarchical browse structure based on historical actions of online users, and for calling such nodes to the attention of users during navigation of the browse tree. The system and method are particularly useful for assisting users in locating popular products and/or product categories within a catalog of an online merchant, but may be used in connection with browse structures used to locate other types of items. Node popularity levels are determined periodically (e.g., once per day) based on recent user activity data that represents users' affinities for such nodes. Such activity data may include, for example, the number of times each item was purchased, and/or the number of times each category was selected for display, within a selected period of time. Popular nodes are called to the attention of users by automatically “elevating” the nodes for display within the browse tree. For example, when a user selects a particular non-leaf category (a category that contains subcategories) for viewing, the most popular items corresponding to the selected category may…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.