System and method for automating association of retail items to support shopping proposals
US7346559B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q40/04
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A shopping server proposal system includes a mechanism that enhances the online retailer's existing database system with the necessary information to provide the desired services. The existing catalog of items is analyzed based on a set of predefined rules for a given retail store. This analysis determines which of the items in the catalog are related to other items in the catalog. The result of this analysis includes new relations of the catalog items that are written into the retailer's existing database system. The mechanism for assembling this information, based on a set of predefined rules, is independent of the retailer or the retailer's industry. The provides retail businesses with a competitive edge by enabling them to offer automated shopping advice to solve the shoppers' problems of finding related and matching items, and by providing a list of related items based on the selected item's properties.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.