System and method for exposing popular categories of browse tree
US6489968B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99945
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer-implemented process identifies popular nodes (items and/or item categories) within a browse tree or other hierarchial browse structure based on historical actions of online users, and calls 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 on an online merchant, but may be used with browse structures for navigating other types of content. Node popularity levels are determined periodically (e.g. once per day) based on recent user activity data that reflects users' affinities for specific nodes. Popular nodes are called to the attention of users, preferably by automatically “elevating” such nodes for display within the browse tree. The node elevation process may also be used to elevate nodes that are predicted to be of interest to a user, regardless of node popularity levels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.